Thank you for the compliment. The machine has never been fully restored. The piano part has the original hammers and strings. I should have done a much better job on the filming. If I find time one day I will do it over.
There are a couple nice Violanos including an early "bowfront" model, and a nice double, at the Nethercutt collection in Sylmar. This place (AKA San Sylmar) is open to the public and at least one of these is demonstrated regularly on tours. They also have a Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina which is occasionally played.
I know what you mean... part of that is due to the fact that many of these automatic instruments were designed to play pleasant background music in restaurants, etc. and weren't typically LISTENED TO directly in their original heyday. Sometimes they were, but not always, and some types of instruments more than others. The critical-listening thing is mostly a recent collector phenomenon. That so many were so musically sophisticated and had such nice arrangments for background music is amazing.
We attended the MBSI (Musical Box Society) convention in St. Paul, MN Aug 29th to Sept 2nd. There were home tours to see and listen to mechanical music machines, workshops, & a large mart with all types of mechanical music items for sale. We really had a great time. You can insert "MBSI" in the You Tube search engine to see more music machine videos.
Your Mills Violano looks like it is playing from a paper roll. Some also have a Midi system added. Does your machine have Midi? I am also a member of MBSI and attend a large number of their meetings.
No, this Violano does not have the Midi system installed though it would be possible to do so. Judging from what I have seen at Musical Box Society meetings, those with Midi systems are getting to be more plentiful than without.
This is a super sounding Mills Violano. You can also get more information on all types of Mechanical music machines by going to the MBSI web site (mbsi dot org)
Thanks for posting this! I saw one today at a small theater in a suburb of Chicago
sublime361 1 year ago
damn i want one its amazing
TYofSON 1 year ago
Great intrument.! Thank you for posting !
Roger
franchute63 1 year ago
Unlikely to be restored anytime soon. My rule is, if not broken, don't fix it.
musicalboxer 2 years ago 2
Bravo Sir Bravo, for such a wonderful video of this amazing instrument.
ChristainPatriot01 2 years ago
Thank you for the compliment. The machine has never been fully restored. The piano part has the original hammers and strings. I should have done a much better job on the filming. If I find time one day I will do it over.
musicalboxer 2 years ago
Very good. When will the instrument be fully restored?
ChristainPatriot01 2 years ago
FIVE STARS! What a magnificent machine. And I'm fond of the aria "Caro Nome."
gmmix 3 years ago
what is the name of that song? sounds familiar
music22589 3 years ago
Caro Nome from Rigoletto by Verdi
qorn9576 3 years ago
what a beautiful instrument! I love these. I wish I could find one in Los Angeles. I saw a rare duet version at the Bayernhof museum in Pittsburgh.
pccbassbone 4 years ago
There are a couple nice Violanos including an early "bowfront" model, and a nice double, at the Nethercutt collection in Sylmar. This place (AKA San Sylmar) is open to the public and at least one of these is demonstrated regularly on tours. They also have a Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina which is occasionally played.
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
interesting. But the violin sounded flat and artificial. But overall, I enjoyed listening to it.
elisan693 4 years ago
I know what you mean... part of that is due to the fact that many of these automatic instruments were designed to play pleasant background music in restaurants, etc. and weren't typically LISTENED TO directly in their original heyday. Sometimes they were, but not always, and some types of instruments more than others. The critical-listening thing is mostly a recent collector phenomenon. That so many were so musically sophisticated and had such nice arrangments for background music is amazing.
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
I enjoyed this! Very interesting!
RagJazzMonkey
Tom Warner
tdub1941 4 years ago
We attended the MBSI (Musical Box Society) convention in St. Paul, MN Aug 29th to Sept 2nd. There were home tours to see and listen to mechanical music machines, workshops, & a large mart with all types of mechanical music items for sale. We really had a great time. You can insert "MBSI" in the You Tube search engine to see more music machine videos.
silverswan481 4 years ago
Your Mills Violano looks like it is playing from a paper roll. Some also have a Midi system added. Does your machine have Midi? I am also a member of MBSI and attend a large number of their meetings.
earthquake88 4 years ago
No, this Violano does not have the Midi system installed though it would be possible to do so. Judging from what I have seen at Musical Box Society meetings, those with Midi systems are getting to be more plentiful than without.
musicalboxer 4 years ago
This is a super sounding Mills Violano. You can also get more information on all types of Mechanical music machines by going to the MBSI web site (mbsi dot org)
hupfeldpan 4 years ago