Monday evening and the audience in St Mary’s in Rye is listening to George Gershwin playing “Rhapsody in Blue”.
Not a recording. Not an interpretation. The keys on the piano are being played just as the composer would have played them 100 years ago. But there’s nobody at the piano.
Just Mike Boyd and his pianolas.
For Rye Arts Festival on Monday September 23, Mike brought two of his incredible machines into the church to play a selection of music that also included Scott Joplin and Fats Waller. A pianola is a self playing piano – it plays the piano’s keys and pumps its pedals, working to a roll of paper marked with notches telling it which notes to play and when. Each roll of paper recreates the sound of the original performance.
It’s absolutely mesmerizing and the music is stunning.
Each piece of music requires a different roll of paper allowing Mike to explain more about the music as he lovingly laces up each tune. For the first half of the performance the electric pianola is used, making a pleasing hum as its pneumatic motor springs into life. For the second half, it’s Mike at the pedals of a second machine which needs foot power.
Close your eyes and it’s like being in a Manhattan concert hall with George Gershwin on stage.
Huge thanks to Mike Boyd for a brilliant evening of music and conversation. Thanks also to Coach House Pianos and Morfeys Removals for their support for the festival and this event.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , A Rye Good Time .