Pianos, Old and New

[Les Smith]

At one time I did quite a lot of fairly high-profile concert work.
Because of this, a few years ago, an area newspaper did a feature
article on my life as a piano technician, in their Sunday nagazine
section, entitled, "A Grand Profession". Although a wide variety of
topics were covered, two questions asked, and my responses to them,
might help to clarify my feelings on old vs. new pianos.

QUESTION (BEN 4/19/92):  Where are the finest pianos in the world
coming from today?

ANSWER: It's a sign of the times. There's still Steinway, of course,
but some of the finest pianos in the world today are coming out of
Japan. Yamaha and Kawai are building two of the best. Surprisingly,
we're also starting to see some beautiful pianos coming out of--of
all places--South Korea. And, of course, Germany still produces some
fine instruments.


QUESTION (BEN 4/19/92): And the finest pianos ever made?

ANSWER: The finest pianos ever made-- anywhere, anytime--were made
here in this country between about 1876 and 1930. It's what I call
the "Golden Age" of the piano.

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net