Player Piano 1: Nancarrow Vol. 1 (2006)

One would think that the definitive word on Conlon Nancarrow's player piano music, inasmuch as it circulates on CDs, has already been spoken -- minus a few unfinished items, every one of his works for mechanical instruments has circulated already, either on Wergo or Other Minds, or, going back into the days of vinyl, 1750 Arch and Columbia Masterworks. MDG's Player Piano I is yet a new spin on Nancarrow's music, courtesy of Jürgen Hocker, who became close to Nancarrow toward the end of his life. Hocker did a lot to advance ... Read More

One would think that the definitive word on Conlon Nancarrow's player piano music, inasmuch as it circulates on CDs, has already been spoken -- minus a few unfinished items, every one of his works for mechanical instruments has circulated already, either on Wergo or Other Minds, or, going back into the days of vinyl, 1750 Arch and Columbia Masterworks. MDG's Player Piano I is yet a new spin on Nancarrow's music, courtesy of Jürgen Hocker, who became close to Nancarrow toward the end of his life. Hocker did a lot to advance performances of Nancarrow through mounting a series of concert tours for him, utilizing pianos of Hocker's design.Rather than employing Nancarrow's own matched and modified Ampico players, Hocker is utilizing a Bösendorfer piano with an Ampico attachment and fitted with hardened felt hammers. Most of Nancarrow's rolls are one of a kind, so in such cases Hocker has photocopied and re-cut them utilizing a hand puncher similar to the one Nancarrow used. The sound of the piano is a bit... Read Less