Mike Waters wrote: 24/10/96

> I have  to ask Paul, "Is this done using a Duo-art Vorstetzer
> or other means?

The Vorstetzer used for the project was only for the 88 note material
Gershwin cut in his early recording days.  Here's a quote from the
liner notes from the Gershwin Nonesuch CD - "Computer programmer
Richard Brandle wrote a computer simulation of the reproducing pianos
which translated the computer files into MIDI representing the notes,
their duration and position in time and relative loudness as executed
by the old reproducing pianos.  Placed in front of the recording
microphone, the Disklaver concert grand then played Gershwin's
reproducing rolls from floppy disks for the CD recording."

> My other question  is: "converting the Duo-art coding to suit the
> Disklavier  would surely be no mean feat, in your opinion Paul what
> do they sound like in comparison to the real thing (Duo-art)?"

I think they did a great job of capturing the original Duo-Art
dynamics.

Maybe I missed it in the digest, but how can I purchase the Dennis
Condon CDs?  Who's making them and who's distributing them?

Based on other readers comments, I'll have to start listening to more
Oscar Levant.  I've always enjoyed Gershwin's playing style, somewhat
heavy handed as it is.  There's a drive and percussiveness to it that
is very infectious.  You can certainly hear his roots as a song plugger
and show rehearsal pianist.

I would also recommend to readers the series on ASV called "The
Authentic George Gershwin" as played by Jack Gibbons.  There are three
Cds in the series.  Gibbons has studied Gershwin's original
acoustic/electrical recordings as well as his roll performances and
reinterprets them in Gershwin's style.  He even plays George's
background accompaniment from the original 78 where he backs Fred and
Adele Astaire.  Fun stuff.

Paul Johnson¶
The Piano Roll Shop