Currently running on PBS stations is an interesting program called
"People and Pianos: 300 Years".  This documentary culminates the
Smithsonian's celebration of 300 years of the piano.

Unfortunately the documentary is a tragic disappointment and a missed
opportunity when it comes to automatic pianos, because it says through
a Yamaha spokesman that roll operated player pianos lacked expression
and thus lowers their technological, historic, and artistic value.
Henry Steinway's following comments included nothing about the
reproducing pianos built by his firm.  There is _no_ excuse for Henry!
He is aware of reproducing pianos especially from his visit(s) to the
home of Harvey Roehl.

Obviously the production staff did no research into reproducing pianos
nor did they explore the fact that by skilled operation of a foot
pumped player, expression can be achieved.  And, yes, the Smithsonian
has at least _one_ reproducing piano.  There is no excuse for such an
omission.  Was it a purposeful omission?  I wonder...

To sum it up, it appeared to me that the documentary essentially
dismissed the roll operated piano as a novelty!

On the other hand maybe these instruments are still a "best kept
secret", even to the Smithsonian staff.  Furthermore, a scholarly book
that puts mechanical music on a pedestal through astutely wrapping the
instruments in the art, history, and culture of their time still does
not exist!  Such a scholarly book on the shelf of the Smithsonian
research library maybe would have enlightened their intellectual staff.

The sad fact is that many people _will_ watch this documentary and
_will_ get a tragic and incorrect image of the player piano; especially
the reproducing piano.

Please click on the following site and send a fax to the fax number
listed and inform the Smithsonian of its error; encourage them to do
_another_ documentary that celebrates mechanical music!  A number of
faxes may get their attention.

  http://www.ptvpromo.org/programinfo/110/peopleandpianos.html

Oh, and please tell them to go take a look at that reproducing piano
sitting near the Welte orchestrion in the cafe area on the first floor
of the National Museum of American History!

Tim Trager