Entrance of the Gladiators / Thunder and Blazes -- player piano roll

Thanks to YouTube's "solong36" for tuning (or "tweaking" as he says) my piano today!

You may not recognize the title of this tune, or even have heard of its composer, Julius Fučík, but I'm sure you have heard it before because it is one of those tunes that is synonymous with circuses today.

The trio part of this march, composed in 1897, has words, but I can't find them online anywhere, and I'm not about to go unraveling the piano roll to write them all down. So... there.

As Fučík is Czech, the name of the tune in its native language is "Vjezd gladiátorů".

This is an absolutely spectacular piano roll arrangement. Don't you agree? It is Play-Rite catalog number 478-A, arranged by Albert Delhi.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• march
• piano roll
• piano
• player piano
• circus
• Fučík

[er10b]

What is that box on the left side of the spoolbox that slides in and out as the piano plays? (near the bottom right corner)

[Keeper1st]

@er10b That's the tracking system trying to correct irregularities in the spool and keep the paper lined up properly.

[1276epr]

great roll, bu what is that constant thumping or background noise that kind of sounds like a tambourine being shaken?

[Keeper1st]

@1276epr Part of it is the foot pumps (this piano is not electrified). The "tambourine" was some squeak in the upper action. A bit of felt had come off so the metal was turning on metal.

[lpguy12]

Is that a QRS roll? and if so whats the # Great piano great video. LOVE IT!!!!! post more

[Keeper1st]

It's a Play-Rite roll, 478-A. I hope to record some more rolls sometime soon -- and hope to reduce some of the squeaking as well.

The piano is a Mercer, built around 1924 or so.

[MisterMulluc]

This composition is great. It is a shame how the tune cannot mark the moment without being instantly thought of as the circus theme though, the tune is so much more than just a theme.

[dippydawg827]

very cool! I love your piano :)

[FriendofFlash]

Thank You Sir for submitting this wonderful music piano roll and thanks to that long ago person who transcribed it to paper. I do hope that one day you will have your piano repaired and re-submit this very same video. Thank You

[enemyofall67]

this song scared the shit out me

[micah960]

Am I the only one who imagines Dancing hamsters in clown outfits??? :o

[TheZanahorias1]

I wish I had enough fingers to play like that

[brunswickm33]

Fascinating!

[Allaphaidole]

this video amused me and amazed me sooooo much! :)