Horace wrote: [ Having been in on this kind of disaster, ah, purchase, several times - I would urgently suggest simply smiling politely, nodding occaisionally, and making pleasant murmurings as necessary.] I've been following this thread with interest, not because of the Hamburg piano question but because I've been chosen to go with three (count 'em!) faculty members to New York as the selection committee for a new "D" for one of our halls. It's sort of a formality for me to go along, I think - I don't expect these pianists will find a lot to agree on amongst themselves, much less pay much attention to whatever opinions I might add. Wish I could feel more positive about it, but I sort of feel that the best thing I can do is possibly warn them about (or prepare myself for) things that may come to haunt us "later on" about the piano - like if there's a particularly buzzy capo bar, or tight flanges, overly hard hammers temporarily voiced down, etc. I'd be very interested to hear what others experiences have been, especially if someone has had a positive experience with this and who thinks the technician can actually play a useful role in this sort of scenario. A large element here involves subjective factors, obviously - specific personalities and aesthetics. But surely (he says, ever hopeful) there might be something other than "pleasant murmurings" that I can add to the proceedings?! Or should I instead just stay in my hotel room and miss the appointment, or (better yet) go out and enjoy the town? War stories welcome... tongue-only-partly-in-cheek, Allen Wright Oberlin Conservatory
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