Concert prep help

[John McKone]

Hi all,

I will be tuning for Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Jazz Ensemble next
week, and I have some questions and concerns about the prep situation.

Here's the deal: the piano is what I would consider an unremarkable or
possibly adequate Steinway D that is the house piano at the hall where the
concert is to take place.  I tune this piano once or twice a year and each
time remind the staff that it is no where near concert ready for a high
level artist.  The regulation is ok for a home piano, but nothing like what
would be expected by a real pro.  Ditto for the voicing.  Of course the
have never come up with the funds to bring the piano up to concert level.

I will have about 3 hours at the piano the day before the show, and then am
required to be there for the sound check, and on call for the performance.
I assume a fairly substantial pitch raise to get the piano stable - so call
that an hour and a half.

Here come the questions...

1. What is the best use of the approximately 1 1/2 hours I have available
for voicing/regulating this instrument?  I need to do piano triage here,
and would like advice.

2. What would be the best diplomatic approach to explaining the situation
to the pianist if, as I fear will happen, the pianist is not happy with the
instrument?

3.  Has anybody worked with this group before? If so, what are the
idiosyncrasies of the pianist?

Thanks in advance for your help.

John McKone, RPT
St. louis Park, Minnesota
(612) 280-8375
mckonejw@skypoint.com