Robbie Rhodes writes that he is sceptical that artists could hear what
they recorded immediately.  He may be right, but I recall reading that
after Rachmaninof recorded for the first time it was played back to him
and he headed for the door and turned back and said in apparent
dissatisfraction: "Gentleman, I have just heard myself play." I'll try to
track this quotation down, though I just lent my CD of this to a friend.

There are ample testimonies of artists of the time extolling the merits
of these pianos.  Of course this may be attributable to other factors such
as commercial interests and the fact that the recordings were
immeasurable superior to the records of the day.  They may have been a bit
extravagant in their praise.  Yet I have to say, that after listening to
my CD of Rachmaninof playing his own works, it is nothing short of
breathtaking.  There is ample subtilty of expression.  I believe he was the
Horowitz of his day.  It's quite astonishing to listen to.  It far exceeded
my expectations.  So I can appreciate the effect it must have had in its
day if they were able to hear it as I do.

----Keith Nealy