This High Holy days we wanted to highlight the voice of Cantor Salomon Pinkasovitch. Born in 1886, Pinkasovitch began his hazzanic career in 1912 serving congregations in Czernowitz, Roumania and in Vienna. The recordings on this album were put together by Barry Serota of Musique Internationale. Featuring rare selections from the collections of the Benedict Stambler Memorial Archives.
Listen to the voice of Cantor Salomon Pinkasovitch
Looking for more music to celebrate the High Holy Days this year? Look no further! The Recorded Sound Archives has a collection of over 40 recordings for you to choose from and share with your family.
Over the last fifteen years, we have had the opportunity to connect with musicians, educators, and researchers worldwide through the sound archive, but none captured the enthusiasm of Bob Berkman and his Player Piano.
Remembering Bob Berkman
We met Bob and his partner, David Mavis who came down from Buffalo, New York through a connection with Ben Roth our sound digitization specialist. He was invited to speak back in 2013 at a Judaic festival that was held yearly at the FAU Libraries about his work creating Piano rolls for QRS and to highlight how a player piano worked with a bit of history. I was fortunate enough to be able to record a few videos prior along with his lecture.
The one thing that has never left my mind, however, is his kindness and generosity in sharing his musical knowledge with anyone he meets. Upon our meeting, he went to work setting up his Player Piano and explaining all the pieces as we asked if we could record behind-the-scenes footage before his lecture. And with a giant smile, he went about putting together his Player Piano talking about it as he put the pieces together assessing the foot pedals and gears to make sure his piano was performance ready.
Over the years, Bob would reach out periodically asking for a recording, or if we had a copy of the video we created years ago that he could have. I never forgot his kindness and often found myself researching old newspapers for information about musicians and record labels, finding a Player Piano ad or two and compiling a file to send him which he was always glad to receive.
Unfortunately, Bob Berkman passed away this summer in July from a serious illness at the age of sixty-eight. Here, at the Recorded Sound Archives, in celebration of National Piano Month, we would like to honor the memory of a wonderful human who shared immensely his love of music with others and all that would listen.
Below you will find a link to our website where you can listen to four albums by Bob Berkman. Along with a few short clips we recorded in 2013 during Bob’s time in Florida.
Visit our website to listen to Piano roll recordings compiled and played by Bob Berkman:
If you read this post and it touched your heart, please consider donating to Buffalo String Works (Buffalostringworks.org) which is an organization creating accessible, youth-centered music education for those in the Western New York Community where Bob lived.
We’re excited to share with you our latest collection of vintage Florida recordings! If you’re looking for a way to transport yourself to the sunshine state this summer, this is the perfect opportunity. With over 13 recordings featuring the state itself and various cities within it. You’re sure to find something that captures the essence of Florida. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, these recordings will allow you to experience Florida in a whole new way. So, sit back, relax, and let the sounds of Florida transport you to a time gone by. Close your eyes and let your imagination take you on a journey through the Sunshine State. Imagine if you will the gentle rustling of palm trees, the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, and the chirping of tropical birds to transport you from your current location to Florida!
Relive the Golden Age of Florida Tourism Through Vintage Recordings
Here are just a few of our favorite recordings from this collection.
FAU Students, Faculty and Staff can listen to recordings unrestricted by clicking the Research Station icon located in the upper right corner of the website logging in using their FAU NET ID and password.
Happy World Piano Day! Piano Day is held on the 88th day of the year in celebration of and reference to the 88 keys on a standard piano. This idea was created by the German pianist and composer Nils Frahm in 2015 “because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most important, the listener”.
Discover the Piano and Musicians for World Piano Day!
In celebration, here at the Recorded Sound Archives we wanted to share a few videos that we’ve created over the years that showcase the piano and all of its marvelous wonders along with pianists you should know. Enjoy!
Bob Berkman Explains How the Pianola Works
Learn more from one of our featured performers Bob Berkman about how the Pianola Works.
Ben Roth-Aroni Showcasing his Player Piano
Do you think player pianos are a thing of the past? Join Ben Roth-Aroni as he shares some new and old tunes on his player piano at home during National Piano month in September!
Ben Roth-Aroni Shares Piano Rolls
In this playlist, discover different piano rolls played by Ben Roth and learn a little bit of history.
Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to the world of music. From the medieval period to the present day,female musicians have overcome social and cultural barriers to become successful composers, performers, and music educators.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, RSA staff has put together seven women musicians you should know.
Did you know that FAU Libraries has a sound archive which you can access and listen to recordings for research from the comforts of your own home?
Last year, the Recorded Sound Archives digitized 710 albums along with 7,421 songs for those to access reaching over 126 countries, and receiving 141,270 hits from all over the world.
As a New Year’s gift and a welcome to the FAU community we wanted to share a few staff favorites from 2022.
As part of Banned Books week here at FAU Libraries, we wanted to share Party Records. Learn more about these records and why they were made in the video below.
Here at the Recorded Sound Archives , we have one Party record which you can listen to on our website to get a taste of what was deemed obscene at the time.
Discover RSA staff picks, as summer comes to an end and the fall semester is in full swing this week at FAU Libraries, we thought we’d share RSA Staff Picks: Our Summer ’22 Favorites.
Happy Birthday, Louis Armstrong! Today would have been Louis Armstrong’s 121st birthday. Did you know that a Jewish immigrant family helped Armstrong buy his first horn?
The jazzman would later write that the Karnofskys treated him as though he were their own child, often giving him food and even loaning him money to buy his first instrument, a $5 cornet which he paid back. (he wouldn’t begin playing the trumpet until 1926). As a sign of his gratitude to his Jewish benefactors, Armstrong later took to wearing a Star of David pendant around his neck until the end of his life in memory of the family who had helped him.
Here are a few RSA staff favorites of Louis Armstrong to get you started:
Celebrate Armstrong’s birthday today by listening to the music behind one of the most influential figures in jazz by visiting the RSA Website: https://rsa.fau.edu/louis-armstrong
And let us know in the comments, what is your favorite Louis Armstrong song?
Please note, due to copyright some items may only be available as a 45 second snippet.
If you are a Researcher or Educator in need of full access to these recordings, click here.
FAU Students, Faculty and Staff can listen to recordings unrestricted by logging into the Research Station using their FAU NET ID.
It’s National Donut Day and on this day one song comes to mind, The Donut Song by Burl Ives. Despite it’s age, this song has a wonderful message about life:
When you walk the streets you’ll have no cares
If you walk the lines and not the squares
As you go through life make this your goal
Watch the donut, not the hole.
Meaning appreciate what you have (the donut), shed your desires, worries and wants (the hole).
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