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Mechanical Musical Instruments of Russia
By Karl Ellison

Many European countries can boast the invention or manufacture of
a major automatic instrument, but I've yet to read of any Russian
mechanical instruments, other than their clocks and eggs that are
essentially small music boxes.

The Estonia Piano Co. (on the Baltic Sea) I wouldn't think count
as Russian, and I doubt they made players.  Their pianos exhibit a
"unique sound which comes from the superior spruce timber that grows
only in extremely cold areas".

So -- did Russia and the states of the former USSR ever manufacture
player pianos, orchestrions, anything?

Karl Ellison
Salem, Massachusetts


(Message sent Sun 9 Dec 2001, 23:01:09 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Instruments, Mechanical, Musical, Russia
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