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MMD > Archives > June 2008 > 2008.06.09 > 03Prev  Next


George Bernard Shaw's Pianola Piano Player
By Randolph Herr

To answer Jeffrey Borinsky's question about Shaw having a Pianola,
the answer is "Yes."  Before Shaw became famous as a playwright he
was a well-known music critic, and I believe that some of his reviews
have been collected in a book which may still be available.

The reason I know he had a Pianola is that I distinctly remember
that, many years ago, his Pianola (or so they said) was put up for
sale and there were no takers.  I assume it was sold, but being in
England, I did not follow up on what happened to it.  As I recall, it
was a 65-noter and it is quite possible that Shaw, being a major music
critic, traded it in when 88-notes became standardized.

It is ironic that nowadays you can't even photograph Shaw's
Bechstein piano, yet his Pianola was sold.  I hope a fan of Shaw bought
it.  I assume that the fellows in England would know more about this.

Randolph Herr


(Message sent Mon 9 Jun 2008, 14:10:55 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bernard, George, Piano, Pianola, Player, Shaw's

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