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Orchestrophonia


by Norman Lowrey
Commissioned and Performed by
The Colonial Symphony
Paul Hostetter, Music Director & Conductor

Program Notes

Reviews:
Newark Star Ledger | Recorder Community Newspapers | Classical New Jersey




Orchestrophonia, for Mechanical Musical Instruments and Orchestra, by Norman Lowrey

Order of appearance:

  • The Flautist (Alexandre Nicolas Théroude, Paris , France , c. 1869-1877)
    Fair Organ, “Orchestrophone” (Limonaire Freres, Paris, France, c. 1910, “Railroad Rag”)
  • Mephistopheles, Model No. 1 (from opera Faust) (Léopold Lambert, Paris, France, c. 1886-1900)
  • Cylinder Musical Box (Nicole Freres, Paris, France, c. 1858, “Overture der Freyschutz” – Weber)
  • Phonoliszt-Violina (Model B) (Ludwig Hupfeld, A.-G., Leipzig, Germany, 1912-13, “Das Dumme Herz, Polka” (“The Foolish Heart, Polka”))
  • (Automata sequence:)
        - Clown Illusionist (Jean or Henry Phalibois, Paris , France , c. 1910 )
        - Juggling Clowns (Jean or Henry Phalibois, Paris, France, c. 1880)
        - Maid Dusting a Portrait (Louis Renou, Paris, France c. 1900)
        - Clown Magician (Gustave Vichy, Paris, France c. 1895-1900)
        - Children's Band (Attributed to Zinner & Sohne, Germany, c. 1900)
        - Mephistopheles, Model No. 1 (from the opera Faust) (Léopold Lambert, Paris , France c. 1886-1900)
  • Cylinder Musical Box (likely of Geneva , Switzerland , c. 1810-15, “Fly Not Yet”)
  • Cylinder Musical Box (Nicole Freres, Paris, France, c. 1858, “Overture der Freyschutz” – Weber)
  • Encore Automatic Banjo (American Automusic Co., New York City , c. 1901, untitled song)
  • Tightrope Dancer and Musicians (maker unknown, probably Paris , France c. 1875-1885)
  • Harpiste Mauresque (Moorish Harpist) (Gustave Vichy, Paris, France, c. 1880)
  • Concert Roller Organ (The Autophone Company, Ithaca, New York, c. 1885-1900, “Coming Through the Rye”)
    Orchestrophone reprise
  • Regina Corona , Style 35 , Musical Box (Regina Music Box Company, Rahway, NJ, 1902, “Fair Harvard Waltz” – Waters)
  • Symphonion “Eroica” Hall Clock (Symphonion-Fabrik A.-G., Gohlis, Leipzig , Germany , c. 1898-1910, “Miserere a d. Opera der Troubadour”)

(All automata video by Sandrian Camera & Imaging. All other video of Guinness Collection mechanical musical instruments by Norman Lowrey. Black and white film from Ballet Mechanique )

 

(See reviews: Newark Star Ledger, Recorder Community Newspapers, Classical New Jersey)

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Contact:
nlowrey@drew.edu

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