[CAUT] Appropriate Piano for Small Recital Hall

[Laurence Libin]

I respectfully disagree. 'Better' is subjective, and to me the bass of a D 
can readily overpower the rest. To my ears, in small rooms a B often sounds 
more balanced. My issue here isn't with the piano but with how it's likely 
to be played in this little hall. In any case I'd rather hear a B with the 
lid fully open than a D with the lid on half-stick, as it might have to be 
for chamber music, especially vocal accompaniment. Granted, if the choice 
here is between the two existing grands, the Steinway's likely to serve the 
music 'better'.
Laurence

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Sturm" <fssturm at unm.edu>
To: <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Appropriate Piano for Small Recital Hall


> On Mar 24, 2010, at 10:05 AM, Don Mannino wrote:
>
>> In my opinion, it is always best to have a concert grand for a recital
>> space, no matter how small.
>
>
> I agree. Though concert could be defined as more or less 7' +, a 9'  piano 
> will have, if nothing else, a better bass sound. Projection and  volume 
> are not necessarily more than a smaller piano, at least in the  ears of 
> the audience (bigger board moves more air, but voicing and the  mix of 
> partials is more important to how the audience perceives it).  As long as 
> it is voiced appropriately, I'd go with the D in your  situation. Your 
> students should have the opportunity to play on a 9'.
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
> fssturm at unm.edu
>
>
>
>
>