Robert W. Taylor

Robert W. Taylor started collecting self playing musical instruments in 1974.  His keen interest in mechanical gadgets and love of music provided the foundation for him to form a business specializing in restorations of Reproducing player pianos.  Reproducing player pianos not only make the notes sound, but also can vary the strength of each note so that a life-like performance can be rendered.  

Special rolls that contain codes for dynamics, as well as the notes, are used to control the reproducing piano.  Specializing in the Ampico, Duo Art, and Welte-Licensee systems, Taylor soon expanded his interests to include roll editing.  In producing rolls for the Ampico he explored new techniques of roll coding.

The pipe organ had always been Taylor's ultimate goal.  Finally, after years of waiting, the right instrument became available.  He found Aeolian Opus 1280.  Not only did the instrument have sufficient resources to fully perform the rolls, it also included a large library of rolls.

Purchased in 1998, the organ was stored until a suitable facility could be built.  Part of the goal in ownership was to preserve the organ rolls which are deteriorating with age. Now,  an on going project continues to transfer the roll data into computer based files.  Thus, as the paper fails, the contents will survive.  Additionally, Taylor wanted to share his organ treasures with others, and this Web site is part of that scheme.  

CD  recordings of Opus 1280 performing are planned.  The recordings will showcase both Duo Art organ music, and non automatic Aeolian Pipe Organ Rolls. To insure perfect replication of the rolls, the recordings will originate from MIDI files of the rolls playing the organ.  In the case of the non automatic rolls, the MIDI files will contain all the stop coding , thus rendering a flawless performance.

Enthusiasts who would like to make suggestions about recording content are encouraged to be in contact by email.

rtaylor@socket.net

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