Search - Chabrier, Cartons De Paul Eynard :: Magic of Barrel Organ

Historical Mechanical Music

Daniel G. Berk | West Bloomfield, Michigan | 08/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As interesting to watch as it was to hear, the barrel organ of the 19th century occupies a position in size between the music box and the orchestrion in the family of mechanical instruments. With recorded music so easily available today with supurb sound reproduction, it may be difficult to envision a time when music was virtually unavailable unless one attended a live performance or performed it oneself on musical instruments at home. The first might be precluded by lack of finances and the second by lack of ability. The barrel organ filled that void, after a fashion, with greater range of sound than could be achieved by a piano roll. True, the sound is a bit stiff and stilted, but it was music being created before your eyes - and earsWhile this CD would have to be considered a novelty, it does permit the listener to take an historic step back in time to experience 19th century "recorded" music."