I just returned from an extended trip to Germany, Austria, and
Switzerland.  I came back to a mountain of e-mail.  In addition to
attending the fabulous Waldkirch Organ Festival, I visited a number of
private mechanical music collections and public museums with mechanical
musical instruments, including some never previously visited by an
American!

I have always enjoyed the sophisticated musical arrangements of Gustav
Bruder.  Most collectors are familiar with his fantastic arrangements
for Weber Orchestrions.  However, many American collectors are unaware
of the fact that he arranged far more music for the German fair organs,
particularly the 52-key Gebrueder Bruder roll-operated fair organs.

His arranging for these organs started in the late 1920's and continued
until 1968.  Each year he would make a spring and fall potpourri roll
called a "Schlager Potpourri" or "Hit Song Potpourri".  These Schlager
Potpourris are pure gold!  Many of these Potpourris have well-known
American songs, from "Ramona" and "Hindustan" to 1950's Cowboy songs
to "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Polka Dot Bikini" !

A number of great 1920's songs were composed in Germany.  Many of these
songs are found on 52-key Bruder organ rolls arranged by Gustav Bruder.
On my trip I had opportunity to listen to many hours of this fine music
on a number of existing 52-key roll-operated Gebrueder Bruder organs.
At the Waldkirch festival there were three roll-operated 52-key Bruder
organs playing this music, including one on display in the Elztaler
Museum.

Tim Trager
Trager@idt.net