Achim Breiling wrote: >Yesterday I came across a Telarc CD (CD-80489) that came out a couple >of years ago, with the title: "A Window in Time: Rachmaninoff Performs >His Solo Piano Works.". As I understood R's famous recordings on Ampico >rolls were scanned and transformed using a special program into files >that were played on a Boesendorfer piano in a concert hall. Thus, as the >notes on the back of the CD promiss, one won't be able to distinguish this >recording from a "recent" studio recording made by Rachmaninov. Anybody >heard this? Comments? I have listened to both issues. The limitation of the early Ampico rolls is that the dynamics were not recorded as each note was played. The later Ampico rolls, the "B" version was indeed better. The transfers for the Teldec issues are terrific, and, I believe, accurately represent what is on the roll. However, as one listens, there is an unearthly quality to the dynamics. For the early Ampicos, the dynamics were added after the playing. Ampico had some highly qualified people who would be present during the recording session and notate the dynamic level of the pianist. These notations would later be added to the roll. The problem is that no pianist on earth plays a scale or anything with an even dynamic level for each subsequent attack. As a pianist you work for that much of your life, but it just doesn't happen...even if you were Rachmaninoff. This smoothness of the dynamics may have lead Rachmaninoff to state after hearing a playback, "it sounds like I wish I could play." There were other systems, like the Ampico B and the Welte which would record the dynamic level as each note was played. If you have interest in such things... Now a chance to plug the issues on my label, Pierian. We have issued the Debussy, Granados and Bloomfield Zeisler Welte rolls. Our next issue will feature all of the Ravel rolls, including the Duo Arts, which did not include the dynamics at the time of the recording. All are available at Amazon.com and towerrecords.com I believe the Telarc issues are great, with the limitation being the roll itself. Unfortunately, Rachmaninoff did not record Welte rolls. Karl