Stanford University aims to restore player pianos, uncover history of early recorded music

STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford University wants to unlock the secrets of the player piano — the high-tech music machine of the early 20th century.

Stanford researchers have launched an ambitious effort to restore and study instruments known as reproducing pianos that recorded major composers performing their own work.

The researchers also plan to preserve and digitize thousands of perforated paper rolls that recorded and played back piano performances with impressive accuracy. They eventually hope to put the recordings online.

Stanford recently acquired an important private collection of 10 reproducing pianos and more than 7,500 rolls that include recordings of composers such as George Gershwin, Scott Joplin and Claude Debussy.

This spring, the university plans to hold a campus concert featuring a restored player piano accompanied by the Stanford Symphony Orchestra.