Artrio-Angelus Catalog

Acknowledgements
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The Reproducing Piano Roll foundation is pleased to be able to make this catalog available to
the roll community and the pianistic world. Painstakingly compiled and transferred to the Portable
Document format by myself and Mr. Michael DeSavoy. Having said that, let me hasten to acknowledge
the contributions of catalog information from the listings of Charles Davis Smith (Duo-Art); of
Elaine Obenchain (Ampico) and of Smith and Richard Howe (Welte). Thanks also to Mr. Larry Sitsky,
of the Canberra School of Music, Australia for detail garnered from his complete publication. (1990,
by Greenwood Press, CT.) We take full responsibility for omissions, believing that the material of
most interest to posterity has in all cases been preserved.
The catalogued material is arranged in the following manner:
�The classical recordings of the various companies are detailed in one-line descriptions of the
composer, composition and performer. The listings are numerical, insuring accuracy and
concision. Omitted are the recordings of salon, march, show, operetta, accompaniment and
specialty pieces, as well as the compositions of now obscure composers and performers.
The decision to thus limit was made in terms of history’s preference; though many of the
artists were much admired and played in their day, posterity has not retained interest or
affection for their work.
�Because of the predominance both here and abroad of the recordings of two companies:
AMPICO and DUO-ART, the listings reflect a complete survey of what was released in the
“classical” series. At the onset, both companies issued much of what was recorded in the
SAME numerical series. For purposes of complete detail, the catalogs of these companies
are therefore as accurate as present-day research will permit.
�In the case of WELTE (Original German) and WELTE-MIGNON (Licensee) catalog material
is confined to the classical rolls produced by both companies, again eliminating the categories
outlined above.
�Listings of the smaller companies reflect the reproducing piano rolls made by the historic
performers, including some not now remembered, but who recorded -in some instances -
significant compositions by then contemporary artists.
We sincerely hope that these densely-packed and rather austere pages will serve the roll and
pianistic community in research and recovery of music which deserves to transcend the medium it
now occupies. The reproducing piano is, and it is hoped, will continue to be a testament to man's inventiveness
and ingenuity in the service of music and commerce. These devices exist in our contemporary
age thanks to the efforts of committed men and women who see the beauty of preserving the
history of such a remarkable invention. The RPRF seeks the same commitment in efforts to preserve
the rolls themselves. Contact us via our website to learn how you can help in this effort.