Duo-Art
Encyclopedia
Duo-Art was one of the leading reproducing piano technologies of the early 20th century, the others being American Piano Company (Ampico), introduced in 1913 too, and Welte-Mignon
in 1905. These technologies flourished at that time because of the poor quality of the early Phonograph
(Gramophone in Britain). Between 1913 and 1925 a number of distinguished classical and popular pianists, such as Ignace Paderewski, Josef Hofmann, Percy Grainger
, Robert Armbruster
and Vladimir Horowitz
, recorded for Duo-Art, and their rolls are a legacy of 19th century and early 20th century aesthetic and musical practice. Some scholars question the authenticity
of these recordings as well as other reproducing piano recordings because it is likely they were heavily edited and/or arranged by professional roll arrangers in their respective studios. Nevertheless, these recordings do represent the style of these great artists and are a good representation of their live performances.
The Duo-Art mechanism was introduced by the Aeolian Company
in 1913. It was most commonly installed in piano brands manufactured by Aeolian such as Weber, Steck, Wheelock and Stroud. Most notably, it was also available in Steinway
pianos under an exclusive agreement. Aeolian had been under pressure to make the mechanism available in Steinway pianos, but Steinway had no interest in pursuing a relationship with a company they saw as a competitor. In order to satisfy Steinway, Aeolian agreed to stop promoting its Weber brand as a premium brand and stop sponsoring concerts by Paderewski as well as other great pianists. The agreement also stipulated that Aeolian purchase a certain number of Steinway units each year regardless of whether or not they were able to sell them. This contract eventually became a huge financial burden after the Wall Street Crash of 1929
. In 1925, its peak year, Aeolian produced more than 190,000 instruments but the crash, the electric phonograph and the "talkies" all combined to drive the business into a terminal decline.
Welte-Mignon
M. Welte & Sons, Freiburg and New York was a manufacturer of orchestrions, organs and reproducing pianos, established in Vöhrenbach by Michael Welte in 1832.-Overview:...
in 1905. These technologies flourished at that time because of the poor quality of the early Phonograph
Phonograph
The phonograph record player, or gramophone is a device introduced in 1877 that has had continued common use for reproducing sound recordings, although when first developed, the phonograph was used to both record and reproduce sounds...
(Gramophone in Britain). Between 1913 and 1925 a number of distinguished classical and popular pianists, such as Ignace Paderewski, Josef Hofmann, Percy Grainger
Percy Grainger
George Percy Aldridge Grainger , known as Percy Grainger, was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. In the course of a long and innovative career he played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. He also made many...
, Robert Armbruster
Robert Armbruster
Robert Armbruster was a Philadelphia-born American composer, conductor, pianist and songwriter. After studying with Constantin von Sternberg he became a concert pianist, then branched out into conducting and a composing for radio, then television and film. He debuted as a pianist with the...
and Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
, recorded for Duo-Art, and their rolls are a legacy of 19th century and early 20th century aesthetic and musical practice. Some scholars question the authenticity
Authenticity in art
Authenticity in art has a variety of meanings related to different ways in which a work of art or an artistic performance may be considered authentic.Denis Dutton distinguishes between nominal authenticity and expressive authenticity....
of these recordings as well as other reproducing piano recordings because it is likely they were heavily edited and/or arranged by professional roll arrangers in their respective studios. Nevertheless, these recordings do represent the style of these great artists and are a good representation of their live performances.
The Duo-Art mechanism was introduced by the Aeolian Company
Aeolian Company
The Æolian Company was a manufacturer of player organs and pianos.- History :It was founded by New York City piano maker William B. Tremaine as the Æolian Organ & Music Co. to make automatic organs, and, after 1895, as the Æolian Co. automatic pianos as well. The Æolian Company was a...
in 1913. It was most commonly installed in piano brands manufactured by Aeolian such as Weber, Steck, Wheelock and Stroud. Most notably, it was also available in Steinway
Steinway
Steinway may refer to:* Steinway & Sons, an American and German piano manufacturer* Steinway Hall, a building housing concert halls, showrooms and sales departments for Steinway & Sons pianos* Steinway D-274, the concert grand piano by Steinway & Sons...
pianos under an exclusive agreement. Aeolian had been under pressure to make the mechanism available in Steinway pianos, but Steinway had no interest in pursuing a relationship with a company they saw as a competitor. In order to satisfy Steinway, Aeolian agreed to stop promoting its Weber brand as a premium brand and stop sponsoring concerts by Paderewski as well as other great pianists. The agreement also stipulated that Aeolian purchase a certain number of Steinway units each year regardless of whether or not they were able to sell them. This contract eventually became a huge financial burden after the Wall Street Crash of 1929
Wall Street Crash of 1929
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 , also known as the Great Crash, and the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States, taking into consideration the full extent and duration of its fallout...
. In 1925, its peak year, Aeolian produced more than 190,000 instruments but the crash, the electric phonograph and the "talkies" all combined to drive the business into a terminal decline.
External links
- http://www.pianola.org/reproducing/reproducing_duo-art.cfm
- http://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/stein.html
- http://www.pianola.com/duo-art2.htm
- http://www.pianola.com/duo-art1.htm
- http://www.rprf.org/PDF/Duo-Art_Catalog.pdf: The company's catalog.
- The world's greatest authority on the Duo-Art piano, Obituary of Gerald Stonehill, The Daily TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, 8 Mar 2011.