The Aeolian Company
Original compositions and arrangements for pianola
Rex Lawson (pianolist)
An evening with Rex Lawson, king of the British pianola, is always interesting, often fascinating, never less than fun
The Aeolian Company
Original compositions and arrangements for pianola
Rex Lawson (pianolist)
Purchase product
An evening with Rex Lawson, king of the British pianola, is always interesting, often fascinating, never less than fun
About
Discover musical gems from a bygone age with our new recording of Aeolian Company piano rolls (1921), authentically performed by the accomplished pianolist Rex Lawson.<br /><br />What is a pianola and how is it used?<br /><br />The pianola (popular in many households between 1900 and 1930) is a foot-operated player-piano with a complete set of 88 felt-covered wooden fingers that sit over the keyboard of a normal piano and play the keys as indicated by tiny perforations on interchangeable rolls of paper. The operator, or ‘pianolist’, achieves dynamic shading of the music by varying the degree of pressure applied to the foot pedals. In addition, a set of handoperated levers mounted just below the front of the keyboard provide accentuation, tempo control, activation of the sustain and soft pedals and selection of play and rewind modes. In the hands of an accomplished operator, a convincingly lifelike musical performance is achievable.
Contents and tracklist
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
- Rex Lawson
Awards and reviews
An evening with Rex Lawson, king of the British pianola, is always interesting, often fascinating, never less than fun
27th April 2008
This delightful disc contains crisp, meticulous music for the Pianola, an instrument made by the Aeolian Company and that once had great currency...Lawson has mastered [the pianola] and spread the Pianola gospel around the world.
