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Duo-Art Artist "Mr. Fleer"
By John Phillips

Hello, MMD.  One of the D-A rolls in my rather modest accumulation
(I wouldn't dignify it with the word 'collection') is No. S 30086,
"Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7 in G", by Dvorak, played by Mr. Fleer.

This is the only roll I have come across, so far, that identifies
the social status of a male pianist.  He is listed in Charles Davis
Smith's Duo-Art rollography as Herman H. Fleer, but Mr. Smith's
catalog wasn't assembled in 1922, when the roll was released.

I must admit that some of my rolls played by lady pianists, e.g.,
Mme. Sturkow-Rider, do indicate that one is listening to a married
lady's playing, and I believe I have a 65-note roll composed by
a minor member of European royalty with an extremely flowery title.

But Mr. Fleer has piqued my curiosity; did he choose to be Mr.,
or was it an Aeolian decision?

John Phillips - in Hobart, Tasmania


(Message sent Tue 10 Jun 2014, 02:20:50 GMT, from time zone GMT+1000.)

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