Hello Music Lovers,  I read with interest Karl Petersen's report of
the Min-On Concert Association's collection in Tokyo which I visited
in 2004:

  http://www.mmdigest.com/archives/Digests/200801/2008.01.28.02.html

As a longtime member of the SGI Buddhist Association that
sponsors this museum, I was delighted to see so many great historic
instruments, not only well displayed but played daily.  As noted by
Mr. Petersen, the tour includes demonstrations of pianos owned or
played by some of the greatest classical composers.  Having visited
a number of musical museums in Europe last summer, I can attest that
many were dark, filled with unplayed or unplayable instruments and
often uninterested staff members.

Like the SGI Buddhist Association, the group's aim is to promote
peace, culture and education.  The Min-on Concert Association sponsors
numerous performances of international artists each year, from Sufi
dancers to classical Chinese masters in the large hall to which the
museum is attached.  The Min-on Collection also includes a Welte
Cottage orchestrion that plays in the lobby of the museum.

Because the Welte Licensee player grand isn't the best representative
of German and American reproducing piano achievements, I have
considered donating a reproducing upright like a Duo-Art or Ampico
to add to their collection, but the shipping would be prohibitive!

It's well worth a visit if you are in Tokyo.

Best regards,
Marc J. Sachnoff