Am I Experienced?

Notes from the Berkshires, Day 32

Lenox Coffee, 7.05 a.m.

Excellent work with SC yesterday, both on my own tuning and with the team on the mysteries of the Steinway sostenuto mechanism. According to Steve, my tuning is right where it should be, given my experience (or lack thereof) and position: very good, and the improvements are those that can only happen with time and more tunings. The sostenuto work falls under the category of information that a fairly small percentage of technicians know, and that may come in handy in the field. The Steinway construction is somewhat unique, but it is said that if one can deal with theirs, one can deal with that of any other manufacturer. I’m still having a rough time visualizing the actual workings of the pieces – they’re pretty much hidden behind the rest of the the action when at work – but I feel like I have a much better handle on it now than I did before our session.

Had another very cool experience observing the piano selection process of one of the visiting artists yesterday. Often these selections happen in the cramped quarters of the piano room offstage, but certain artists are indulged with the opportunity of testing the pianos on stage. This was one such occasion, and a treat for me to hear the New York and Hamburg D’s side by side in a concert hall, played by a pro. I’m starting to be able to hear and articulate what I hear as differences and similarities, which is good, as I was actually asked for my opinion as a member of the “committee”. Ultimately, it comes down to what the artist feels under their hands, but I was pleased that the piano I heard as superior was the one chosen by the others as well.

A damp morning, but it can’t hamper my spirits – V arrives this afternoon for a long weekend! I’ll meet the team at Miss Hall’s to work on the grands there this morning, then after lunch check on my pair in the Manor House upstairs rehearsal room, to make sure they’re good to go for the remainder of the week. Then to the airport, and possibly back for a recital in Ozawa this evening. Tomorrow I’ll work in the morning, and then the rest of the weekend is ours. No specific plans outside of attending the Diana Krall concert at the Shed on Saturday night. We’re just going to see what the weather does, and what we feel like doing. Should be lovely.