Videos & Audio
Oral History Interview with Barclay Wright
This recording is an oral history interview with Mastertouch proprietor Barclay Wright for the National Library, conducted by Rob Willis on 21st January 1998. The interview gives background information about those associated with Mastertouch and the company itself, in some cases giving information not previously documented.
1968
Mastertouch and C.H. McFarland 1968, player piano revival
This video was made for television by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) around 1968. It starts with inside shots of McFarland’s music store in Marrickville, now long gone. Rare footage of Mastertouch artist Lettie Keyes is shown making a roll recording at the Canterbury factory. The roll is cut as she plays, and is later edited to add a third hand. She began recording for Mastertouch in 1920. The sing-a-long at the end captures a bygone era in which people heartily sang along to a roll being pedalled on the Pianola.
1970
Mastertouch 1970s, with Roger Climpson and Barclay Wright
Roger Climpson interviews Mastertouch owner Barclay Wright in this video made by ATN Channel 7 sometime in the early 1970s. Wright demonstrates the process of making a piano roll and proudly shows the company’s latest invention, a roll playing electronic organ. It was never marketed, despite Wright’s glowing testimony. Roger Climpson was a news reader at Channel 7 for many years. He retired from television in 1998.
1970's
Mastertouch with Barclay Wright recording a piano roll Barclay Wright, the owner of the Mastertouch Piano Roll Company explains and demonstrates how a roll recording is made. We believe the video was made in the late 1970s, or possibly early 1980s. As shown in other, earlier videos, the recording is made by cutting the roll as the pianist plays. At this time, there was a good market for player piano rolls, and Barclay is positive about the future. The Pianolist is obviously having a good time as well.
1976
Mastertouch Piano Roll Company, 1976
This video was made sometime in 1976, and explains how player rolls were made by the Mastertouch Piano Roll company at that time. By 1976, there was increasing interest in player pianos and rolls, and Mastertouch rose to the occasion by producing rolls of the latest music. The company ceased trading in 2005. The company’s website has been resurrected, and can be accessed at https://mastertouch.bookproduction.org. The owner, Barclay Wright is seen in this video, along with recording artist Rae (Ray) Hill and technician Doug Drummond.
1997
Mastertouch 1997, an Australian Story
This video was made by the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1997, as part of its Australian Story series. It includes flashbacks from 1968 of a rousing refrain around a Pianola and shows player pianos at McFarland’s Music Store in Marrickville. By now, Mastertouch owner Barclay Wright is planning a move from the Petersham factory to the Stanmore Fire Station, which had closed in 1991. The move took place around 2000, aided by Friends of Mastertouch. Another flashback shows Lettie Keyes recording a roll, followed by Greg Crease recording a roll using the same equipment. Mastertouch closed in 2005, and Barclay Wright died in 2013; the end of an era.
2004
Mastertouch 2004, John Gill making the last recording
Photographer Tony Hilton was present when legendary ragtime pianist John Gill made what turned out to be the last recordings made by the Mastertouch Piano Roll Co. Recording producer Greg Crease explains how the recording is made. Gone is the recording perforator, replaced now by a MIDI system. John recorded several works on that day, and his playing of 12th Street Rag leaves few notes untouched. John died at age 57, leaving a legacy of many recordings. He can been seen playing in a street in Perth at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ruaK2VzOA also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25BJvYQMZMM