Gershwin's "An American in Paris", part 2, played by Frank Milne in a 1933 Duo Art Piano Roll

Add &fmt=18 to the URL for stereo. This Duo Art piano roll is from the first complete recording ever made of George Gershwin's "An American in Paris". It was arranged for 4-hand piano and performed by Frank Milne in June 1933. Milne worked for Aeolian Corp., often closely with Gershwin himself, and he probably consulted with him on this project. Aeolian marketed it as played by "Milne and Leith", to give the impression of two simultaneous performers, but Milne recorded the whole thing himself. This roll is the second half of the performance. The piano is a recently restored 1920 George Steck 6'1" grand. The roll showcases how well these early reproducing pianos captured a real performance (described by some as one of the most compelling performances of its age), in a day before modern recording methods were developed.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gershwin
• An
• American
• in
• Paris
• Frank
• Milne
• Leith
• Aeolian
• Duo
• Art
• reproducing
• piano
• roll
• George
• Steck

[Organsk8er]

Do you happen to know if there was a roll for the Amipco of this piece? I have a 1926 Mason & Hamlin RAA...I'd love to have a copy of this piece!

[bartolomochristofari]

@Organsk8er

I believe this roll was made originally for Duo-Art, but I've seen eBay listings for the Ampico translation of it. So it should be possible to find it somewhere. Since it is a late depression-era roll, not many copies were made. It took me a year or two to find even a Duo-Art copy of part 1, which I may post someday.

[RobinPratt]

Was originally made for Ampico on a long play single and as a two roll set.

[HESOYAM442]

This is so great!

thanks for sharing. :)

[themanolo9999]

WONDERFUL!!! I have an a Steinway Duo Art Grand Piano...and I love to find this rolls (part 1 and 2) could you help me to find them?

CONGRATULATION your piano sound terrific...

Regards from MÉXICO

[aknabea]

Wonderful!! Hope that you post part 1 in the future! Thanks, a great piano and a great roll!

[kawaimaster]

This man knows what he's doing. Let's hope he starts a trend of tuning the piano prior to posting on u-tube, and setting the correct tempo. Fine resto. all around.