Chopin Francis Planté Erard 1922

algorhythms wrote:

This recording of excerpts from Chopin's Concerto No. 1, First Movement, was made by Francis Planté (1839-1934) on piano roll in 1908. As a young boy he actually heard Chopin play. We'll never know what influence that might have had on his playing but the historical connection is worth remembering.

I rendered it to mp3 on the 1922 Erard and hope you enjoy listening.

Cheers,
Robert

https://youtu.be/jjhY3VBBjI0

Hello again Robert,

At first I have to echo QEXL’s comment earlier (Raoul Koczalski) about the sound  ”This sounds so much like a delicious old recording - really shows Pianoteq's amazing ability to turn these actual performances from times gone by, into stunning living performances for us today”. I think that sums it all up. Can’t say it better.

I always enjoy your uploads and I value the insights and guidance you provide taking time to share these music pieces using Erard. And I have now visited your Youtube sight and also found your website, Isolated pianist, your virtual home (I like that  and of course I’m going to browse and listen to the music and read your ramblings on music and life. I enjoy hearing great pianists of the past. Thank you very much for ”blowing dust of archives” and for everything you do.

Best wishes,

Stig

Discovered your recordings yesterday morning and have been shariung them with friends... to quote one of my amazed descriptions to one of my friends,

"What he has done is take these old recordings from the Stanford University piano roll archives (paper 'live' recordings of pianists from the early 20th century), where they have become MIDI digital transcriptions, and then he 'plays' them through Pianoteq, using the 1922 Erard model.  So, what you hear is like a virtualized performance through the ages, with a 100-year-old performance played on a contemporary simulation of a 100-year-old piano, with all of its eccentricities, and with the recording being quite, well, "human".  In many ways, better than listening to an old Edison wax drum recording, which was quite low fidelity from that age.  What's recorded is actually the pianist's timings and volume levels, while the instrument that's playing is a modern high fidelity reincarnation of an antique.

Crazy, ain't it?!?!"

So, fine work on your part!  An excellent echo, timeless, as derived from the past.

Thank you for all your positive words. They are much appreciated.

So pleased you found my website and my YouTube channel. I'll be posting more of these early recordings there from time to time. I've decided not to post any more of them in the forum as it seems to make some members unhappy and angry. I don't want to deal with people like that and have decided not to visit the forum again for the foreseeable future.

Do take care and stay safe!

Cheers,
Robert

Thank you for all your positive words. They are much appreciated.

So pleased you found my website and my YouTube channel. I'll be posting more of these early recordings there from time to time. I've decided not to post any more of them in the forum as it seems to make some members unhappy and angry. I don't want to deal with people like that and have decided not to visit the forum again for the foreseeable future.

Do take care and stay safe!

Cheers,
Robert

Your recordings are fascinating and much appreciated. Perhaps you would consider posting when you have another recording in this forum rather than the actual youtube link. Were it not for this forum, I may not have found out about your website and its recordings. Thank you for your work.