An extremely rare (and possibly unique) Weber Concert Grand Piano was used by pianola expert Mike Boyd (who is also a Rye Town Councillor) to entertain the audience in the theatre at the Rye Creative Centre on Friday October 23. He attached an amazing piano roll playing device, which played the concert grand without a pianist.
Bringing the artists to life, playing "live" just as they played before the age of the gramophone, the music had been "programmed" on to perforated rolls of paper and the instrument that was used is an original Pianola Piano Player.
The theatre echoed with music from Sergei Rachmaninov through to jazz and Ragtime, finishing off with Misty. Between performances Mike explained the history and origins of the Pianola much to the audience’s fascination and delight. A total of £400 was raised for local charity ARRCC from the evening, which proved so successful that the pianola will be back!
Photo supplied by Irna Mortlock
