Share
Clip description
This is a pianola version of Percy Grainger’s ‘Country Gardens’ performed by the composer in New York in 1919.
Curator’s notes
The techniques of the piano roll had improved just before Grainger made this version of 'Country Gardens’, allowing for a more nuanced reproduction. This piano roll was issued by the Duo-Art Company in May 1919 shortly after the music was published by Schott, London. These 'Aeolian’ Duo-Art rolls (Aeolian catalogue number 6149) were made in real time by a perforator punching holes as Grainger played the piano. Dynamics were added simultaneously by a producer using two rotary controls. Grainger was one of Aeolian’s most popular artists.
