What is "salon music"?  As an amateur musicologist, I have pondered
this myself, and aside from the dictionary description, when pertaining
to piano rolls, I'd say that salon music refers to light popular, with
a bent toward classical music.

In the late 19th century and early part of the 20th century, it was
fashionable for people to show off to their society friends how well
educated and refined tastes they had.  The more well-off members of
this society group would perform vocal selections for their friends
or a violin piece.

We're not talking Beethoven here, folks.  Selections were usually
pieces like "In a Persian Market", 1920 by Ketelbey, or perhaps
something like "Two Little Sausages", 1907 by Lionel Monckton.  It's
hard to believe, but at one time, almost everyone learned how to play
piano or another instrument.  This was the beginning of what we think
of as salon music today.

When we talk about salon music referring to player pianos, the first
thing that comes to my mind are the long play rolls with titles like
"Dinner Mosaic", or "Broadway 1910 Medley".  I don't think that anyone
will disagree that this 'salon music' was meant to be played and
listened to, but rather enjoyed as background music.  That is not to
diminish the artistry of the performances, but people didn't know, and
still don't all know, the hit tunes from the shows these pieces came
from.  As some of the titles suggest, they weren't really meant to be
played out in the forefront as a solo piece like a Chopin Nocturne
anyway.

My best definition of salon music: "Entertainment to be served up with
tea and light refreshments.

Rob Case