Orchestrions

Author: | Posted in Music, Steampunk No comments

"An orchestrion, if you’re wondering, is like a souped-up player piano from the early 1900s. These automatic music machines encased in beautiful wood cabinets don’t just play piano but also drums, bells, and pipes that can imitate violins as well as woodwinds and horns. As MP3 players get smaller and smaller, certain people are rejecting this miniaturization of the music-listening experience and full-on embracing orchestrion nostalgia."

Collector's Weekly has a lovely piece up about these automated music machines.  

If you are interested in these machines I'd also suggest that you check out House on the Rock outside on Madison Wisconsin where you will find several mamoth version of these mechanica music boxes include the very steampunk Organ Room.