Are Ampico piano recordings the real thing?

[Shagdac]

Can anyone give me information regarding the Ampico reproducing piano's. I have a basic understanding of how they work, and wonder....are Ampico recordings considered "True" recordings of a composer. I have an historic CD of ampico recordings, stating "Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov". Supposedly these are recorded on piano rolls and then are reproduced. Are they the real thing? Is what I am hearing really Rachmaninov, or am I completely confused. Seems to me, its kind of a recording or a recording of a recording...but at any rate...would it still be close to his actual playing? Any infomation is greatly appreciated.

Thanks much,
S.  

[Motrax]

The "recording" you find on self-playing pianos is indeed very close to the actual way Rachmaninoff would have played the piece. You aren't quite hearing Rachmaninoff himself, but they do spend a great deal of time matching style and even musicality from Rachy's original performances of the 30's and 40's.

[Shagdac]

Thanks Motrax, appreciate the information. I was listening to the CD, and his interpretation of his music seemed so "different" than how I've heard most other translations of the same pieces. The comment was made to me that "Most pianists play Rachmaninoff's pieces, better than Rachmaninoff"!!! I wasn't sure how to take this, seemed like a ridiculous comment to make, however, the pieces on the CD, claiming to be Rach playing Rach, really do sound totally different.....Which makes me wonder, are composers automatically the absolute "best" at playing their own compositions?
Maybe that's another thread?

S