Classical rolls

Karl Ellison's last entry about classical rolls was very interesting.
Playing arranged 88 or 65 note classical rolls on a foot pump player
can be really rewarding.  I know some collectors who seek out the
arranged versions.  This allows them to add not only their own dynamic
expression, but also their own tempo expression or rubato.  Rather than
sitting back passively listening to a performance it allows you to
become more of a participant in the music which is what the original
developers had in mind.

I had a real awakening awhile back when I acquired some 65 note
classical rolls.  I decided to put one on the 65/88 foot pump grand
just to see how it sounded.  I was thinking, yeah, right, 65 note
classical stuff is going to sound even half-way decent.  Boy, was I
astounded at the result.  I thought the 65 note format might be
limiting but it wasn't at all.  Also, the rolls were very well edited
so they sounded really smooth and lifelike.  Being arranged rolls, I
could control the tempo myself to provide further expression.  It was a
lot of fun and classical isn't really my main interest.

Is there anyone else out there interested in 88/65 note classical
rolls, arranged or hand played?

Paul Johnson¶
The Piano Roll Center