Many years ago, when the former WFLN Radio station was operating, they played Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever, and called it a Monster Piano Ensemble. I have not been able to find that on Youtube, but in my search, I did come across the Irish Internationale Piano Competitions, where they have the eight finalists play on eight concert grand pianos, several classical orchestral arrangements. I picked THE WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE, because most people from my era associate the last movement with the popular radio and television series, The Lone Ranger. Last month you heard four outstanding organists play William Tell, here is eight equally outstanding pianists playing the full orchestrated version of Rossini's William Tell Overature.  

It's been a long, cold winter. We have had more snow this year since about 15 years ago. Well, time to thaw things out. I have some new videos I think you will like. These two (2) are The Philadelphia Organ Quartet. Most people will recognize this Scott Joplin favorite, The Entertainer.

The second video is a stunning rendition of The William Tell Overture, by Rossini. By the way, these are not pipe organs, all 4 are Allen Digital Quantum models. All electronic. Fantastic sound !!!!

 

A favorite of mine, is Dave Wickerham, a really accomplished theatre organist. This is another Scott Joplin Rag, that is not often performed. Dave is playing the Allen Theatre Organ, an all digital model LL-324Q-SP. The Chrysanthemum Rag.                     

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I received this video from another piano technician, who was rather impressed with the idea of a machine like this, but thought it was only fantasy. That may be so, but there is a working automated 12 string acoustic guitar built by Ragtime West in California. You can see those videos here. This video is a product of Animusic. Let me know what you think.....

Let us install a complete Dampp Chaser Humidity Control System in your piano. Call or email us for a free brochure.  www.lansdalepianotuning.com       215-853-0336     classic.musical.instrument@gmail.com

 

 

Most of us remember the days when operating the family player piano gave us a good work out. Pumping those pedals gave us both exercise and music. Now here are some videos showing the ultimate "musical" exercise program. Enjoy...

 

 

You have heard of the "nickle" tour, well Joe gives us the $1.00 tour. In video 1, welcome to the wonderful world of the Fotoplayer by American.

 

Video 2 will give you a beautiful demonstration of how these machines sounded in the days of silent films.

Here's that video workout as promised.

The Little Rascals/ Our Gang

When I was growing up, I remember watching The Little Rascals on TV. I was always fond of their theme song, "The Good Old Days".  Here is a Wurlitzer 165/166 Band Organ playing Roll # 6846,  Hal Roach Movie Music, which starts out with the Rascals theme song. This band organ was built by Bruder Organ Works and converted by Wurlitzer in 1915 to a duplex roll operated system, serial number 4591.  These larger band organs originally used flat perforated cardboard, which folded neatly outside the rear of the instrument

A friend and fellow technician, Joe Appalucci, sent me this video of a piano technician's hand made tool case. This was on The New Yankee Workshop TV series. The workmanship on this project is inspiring to\ say the least. Feel free to comment...


http://www.wimp.com/toolchest/