It's Alive!!!!

[Horace Greeley]

Hi, Fred, Wim, et al,

At 08:05 PM 12/2/2003 -0700, you wrote:

>  When the travelling virtuoso comes to town, just bring out 14 year old.
>Tell him or her that this is the one Misha Dichter preferred, and that you 
>also
>have a very nice new piano that hasn't been played much. Which do you think
>they'll choose?

The problem, of course, is that Misha has (dare I suggest it) real 
technique; and understands that piano keys are not simply on/off 
switches.  (Many others do, too, obviously...his is just the name that came 
up.)

I think this also makes your point (Fred) about the steeper voicing 
gradient.  Very important to note that.  It's kind of a fine line...whom do 
you try to please?  The person from out of town who is there for one night 
(and may well, in many cases, only be interested in his/her check)?  Or, 
the person with whom from a certain standpoint, you have to live?  There is 
validity in both perspectives.  The fun part is to try to set up an 
instrument so that it can, within limits, please both.  Either way, as a 
technician, it is a win-win situation for those who want it.

A very long time ago, a company official told several of us that they knew 
very well that the S&S piano was not necessarily the best single piano for 
any one purpose; but that it was the best compromise instrument...covering 
the required ground at a higher overall average than those that perhaps had 
lighter/faster actions and/or "cleaner" sound (whatever...these are just 
examples).  That person is now long dead...and, even if they weren't, it 
would have been a long time since the marketing types there could be that 
honest about things anyway.  The point is that, from a certain standpoint, 
it really doesn't matter whose name is on the fallboard.  Our work is to 
make _that_ piano the best that it can reasonably be...often under 
less-than-optimal circumstances.

If you want a real treat, try to get to a live recital with Cipa and 
Misha...very different, but very complimentary playing.  Nice to see folks 
who so thoroughly enjoy making music.

Best.

Horace