[ Nancy Fratti wrote: ]

> There are many Disc Box discs titled "FAUST UP TO DATE"
> and I would bet that that is the complete title of your Ariston
> disc!

I do have a "Faust up to date" disc for Ariston:
    3589 PAS DE QUATRE of Faust up to Date, Opera, Burlesque Meyer


 [ Mike Knudsen wrote: ]

> Well, I went home after my posting, checked the Encyclopedia,
> and knew someone would correct me.  Glad it was my orgelfreund
> Ingmar.  Yes, Ariston is a different manufacturer from Phoenix.

:)))    [ I think that's Ingmar's big grin!!  -- Robbie ]

> That means there were at least three major makers in Leipzig.

Of music boxes? Or what?  Remember: Hupfeld also was in Leipzig!

> Physically, I've seen and played three kinds of German disc organettes:
> (...)
> 3. Metal discs with projections, not annular (and I forget the
> company that used these -- back to Bowers).  These are the easiest
> organettes to tune and repair.

discs <-> annular? ...  Oh, I see...  Well, the Symphonion-Discs are
an example of that.

> Was it Ingmar who questioned the term "organette" for the larger models?
> I've seen and played a 2-foot-square Ariston (?) with well over 30
> notes, and the sound does transcend the "-ette" suffix.

err... I didn't question it...  I said that it is wrong  :)

at least here in Germany we say its a "Tischdrehorgel" [table-crank-organ] 
and not an "OErgelchen"  ;)

> However, I get the idea the Bowers' Encyclopedia uses "-ette" for
> any organ using free reeds and sitting on a table, unless intended
> as a monkey-grinder's hurdy-gurdy.

Hmmm...

> That reminds me: At least one participant in the Sandusky Band
> Organ Rally had a Symphonia or Celestina 20-note roll-playing
> organette, to which he'd attached a support pole underneath, and
> he was going around grinding it in the monkey manner.  Not a bad
> idea!  I had mine there, but just on display.  If you're using Gem
> Roller Organs as doorstops, this may be more fun :-)

I do know of a French organ grinder, who also has a Celestina.  He loves
this little Instrument, for it's beautiful for him to sing to it.  The
most times I saw him with it singing was on stages, having it hanging
before him with a belt over his neck, and singing Edith Piaf songs or
other chansons.

One of these songs has always been very impressive to me:  he is clothed
like some fisherman or somebody, with rubber boots and a rubber overcoat,
and he sings, but not the normal way -- He stutters!!

I never been able to understand the complete story because
  (1) it is in French ;), and
  (2) everyone laughs so loud.  ;)

What I've been able to understand so far, is that he mimes this
stuttering fisherman who is -- or at least is trying to -- tell a story.
Perhaps he fell into cold water and that's why he stutters... I don't
know.  :)


 [ Marc Kaufman wrote: ]

> Ingmar Krause writes:
>
> > I could probably date it by seeing the box myself.  There are some
> > tricky indices which I'm not going to tell about.  :)
>
> Why not? <personal remark deleted...>  Collectors of historical items 
> should be willing to share their knowledge with others.  I know of at
> least one who refuses to do so with the full knowledge that when he dies
> the knowledge will be lost.  What a shame.


Eerm...  If it makes you happy, I'll write it down some day, but if I
would tell you guys all of what I know of these instruments, then it
would be rather unlikely that people would be coming to me personally 
to show me those boxes, and that would be quite a pity.   :)


greetings by(e) Ingmar Krause

ERlanger drehORGEL-Trio, Familie Krause, erorgelt@balloon.franken.de

 [ Well... thanks to you, Ingmar, and to Mike Knudsen, all of us have
 [ learned a lot about a unique music box and its performances.  I have
 [ really enjoyed this thread.  A heartfelt "Danke Schoen" to you for
 [ sharing your knowledge!  :))  -- Robbie