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Mikado

Mikado musical automaton
House on the Rock
Wisconsin, USA

Insert 2 tokens.

The fellow in the middle plays his kettle drum with a slow mechanical motion of the forearms, while shifting his stern gaze from side to side like an orchestra conductor. A second, smaller human figure is perched in the shadowy nook above.

In other parts, a mechanized xylophone plays, and a robotic beater thumps a gong with a timid stroke. The whole thing is wiggling with tiny intermittent motions.

True to its visual form, Mikado plays a mock Eastern themed composition in a minor key with oblique modal riffage on top.  I’m a huge fan of the Raymond Scott Quintette recordings and the Mikado conjures a similar vibe.  The lead instruments play in a style that hints at the taksim solos by Turkish clarinet and quanun musicians, but with more blue notes.  I love it.  Just wait for the bass drum to kick in and you’ll see why.  Its like proto-acid house imagined thru a steampunk automaton.

An ostinato bassline repeats the dominant and octave mercilessly on a set of pneumatic horns.  Is this all playing from a punched paper roll?  I’d like to know more about the collaboration between composer and builder.  Or was it all one person?

Everything at House on the Rock seemed remarkably well maintained. There must be considerable talent employed in the upkeep of these automatons.

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