From the late 1940s, 78 rpm discs were gradually replaced by 33 rpm and 45 rpm discs,
and from the late 1980s these were, in turn, gradually replaced by compact discs known
as CDs. Many historically or artistically significant recordings have over the years been
transferred in turn to later disc mediums.
Pianists between 1905 and about 1930 also made reproducing piano roll recordings.
REGULATION
Periodic regulation of the action of a piano is essential. This involves levelling the keys,
fixing any broken action parts and setting up each action part to its correct position. A
properly regulated piano has a uniformly graduated touch response and tone throughout
its compass. Regulation should be done by a qualified piano tuner.
REISENAUER
Alfred Reisenauer (1863-1907) was born in Königsberg, Norway, on 1 November 1863
and died in his hotel room at Libau in Russia on 3 October 1907 after giving a dazzling
recital.
He studied with Köhler as a young boy, then studied with Liszt from the age of twelve
and made his début in Rome in 1881. With a gap of some years, during which he studied
law in Leipzig, he was a pupil of Liszt. After Liszt’s death in 1886 he resumed his
concert career. In his brief career he gave over 2,000 concerts. Like other prominent
Liszt pupils, Reisenauer became addicted to alcohol and while on tour he consumed
massive quantities of champagne.
Reisenauer’s playing was characterised by scholarly insight as well as brilliant execution.
He was known around the world as one of the most brilliant of the later pupils of Liszt.
His numerous piano tours took him to many countries including Siberia and Central Asia.
George Bernard Shaw heard him in London in 1892 but considered he had acquired a
huge superfluity of technical power which he was resolved to take out in speed rather
than in thought. Reisenauer returned to London in 1896 when he played Beethoven’s
piano concerto no. 3 in C minor at a Philharmonic concert. He taught at the Leipzig
Conservatory from 1900 to 1906 and appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1905.
Alfred Reisenauer composed piano pieces and over one hundred songs. His pupils
included Clarence Adler, Sergei Bortkiewicz, Josef Pembauer jnr, Anna Schytte and
Sigfrid Karg-Elert. He made no discs but made three Liszt rolls: Hungarian Rhapsodies
nos. 10 and 12 and ‘Maiden’s Wish’ (after Chopin).
RELAXATION
Before a performance, and from time to time during practice, a pianist should drop both
arms loosely beside the body and relax all the muscles of the body consciously and