Fannie Bloomfield was universally considered one of the leading pianists of her time, and without a doubt the greatest American pianist. The New York Times, in 1901, called her "the most distinguished of American women players of the piano forte." That same year, the New York Sun referred to her as "an electric dyanmo endowed with a human body and soul." At a time when the pianistic world was dominated by men, a perpetual critique was that "She plays like a man." This was indeed high praise.
Fannie Bloomfield had studied with Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna at the suggestion of Anna Yesipova and became the most prominent of his female pupils after Yesipova. She had a powerful technique and often performed two or three major piano concerti in one evening.
Unfortunately, although she made a number of piano rolls, I have been able to locate only this one of a Chopin Nocturne. It is, however, the one Nocturne that might well best show off her considerable talent.
Chopin Nocturne Op 48 n°1 Masters of the Piano Roll Series
