Franz Mohr

[David Love]

Bravo Greg.

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Greg Newell
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 7:35 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: Franz Mohr


Horace,
         This is all well and good and you are certainly correct in that

there is much art in what we do. Still, the talking heads as you so
brashly 
put it, have a great deal to say of some vital importance which will
take 
the venerable piano well into the future in as much if not more of a 
beloved state than it already is with us. Why should any of us be 
"satisfied" with what was when we have the capability to do so very much

more. This is where I take exception with the honored Franz Moor and why
I 
left the meeting when it broke for a gratis dinner given by the local 
dealer. There are, perhaps, things that should be kept and not fussed
with 
from the by gone era (though I can't think of any of them off hand) but 
where we can make it better why on earth wouldn't we? Because of a name 
plate or decal on the fallboard? Where would Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Ford,

Chrysler or Dodge be today if there weren't backyard tinkerers or even 
large shops who thought they could add something to the overall product?

Wouldn't it be considered a plus if soundboard, ribset, bridge
placement, 
and stringing scale were enhanced so as to offer a product that needed
no 
demonstrable heroics in voicing? Wouldn't it be considered a plus to
have a 
predictable action setup so as to have a reliable touch and speed of 
repetition that didn't need a great deal of tweaking even from the
factory 
delivery? Wouldn't it also be great to find alternatives and perhaps
even 
better performing materials that wouldn't unduly deplete old growth
forests 
raping the land of anything for the future? Well, I think you would all 
agree that these are positive things. Franz is of an era to be sure.
Much 
of what he has to share is entertaining. I have difficulty with the 
posturing that his generation has made an instrument we all cherish the 
best it can ever be. In my mind improvement is ALWAYS possible and
desired.

best,
Greg

P.S. and not once did I denigrate or call anyone any names ...



At 10:07 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote:
>At 06:41 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote:
>
>>Heard him in Columbus, OH a while back. He lost me after I asked him
if 
>>there was any room for improvement for the piano as a whole and he
said 
>>no, the piano is now as good as it will ever be (or something very
close 
>>to that). I left.
>
>Sorry that that was your experience.
>
>\\minor rant\\
>
>FWIW, Franz is not only a product of his generation, he is the last
living 
>link to what used to be at Steinway.  Further, he teaches in 
>parables...stories.  Even if they seem to be off target, they carry a 
>point.  One simply has to be able to hear what is being said.  Listen 
>carefully to what he says about working with Horowitz and you will 
>discover the "secret" of the latter's control.
>
>If one needs to hear endless reductive blather, then he is simply not
the 
>guy.  There are endless talking heads out there with little to say who 
>take great pleasure in saying it at great length.  When all of the 
>measuring and weighing and all the rest of that stuff is over and done 
>with, the piano must still be a musical instrument which speaks or the 
>whole exercise has been a massive waste of time, energy and material.
>
>People forget that music and its allied arts are just that - art.  At
some 
>point, technique has played its part and it is time to move on to what 
>matters...communication of the ineffable.  That certainly does not mean

>that the development of the piano (or anything else, for that matter)
has 
>to come to a close.  It does mean that we all need to remember why it
is 
>that we do what we do.
>
>\\end rant\\
>
>Avery, if you make it to see him tomorrow, please give him my 
>regards.  Also, please tell him that I am still using a "C"
fork...Thanks!
>
>Best.
>
>Horace
>
>
>
>>Greg
>>
>>
>>
>>At 09:35 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote:
>>>Don't hold your breath. It's a S&S PR speach and not much more.
Unless, 
>>>of course, if you enjoy digging into S&S mythology......
>>>
>>>Nice guy though. I did like him. However, I'm fairly content with my 
>>>religion. Just a bit much, IMHO.
>>>
>>>Terry Farrell
>>>
>>>>Just one of the good things about living in a BIG city. Franz Mohr
is 
>>>>going to be
>>>>here tomorrow at the Steinway dealership. I "think" it's just a talk

>>>>kind of
>>>>thing but we're supposed to get a copy of his book! I'm really
looking 
>>>>forward
>>>>to it! Thankfully, I don't HAVE to work tomorrow! :-)
>>>>
>>>>Avery
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>>
>>Greg Newell
>>Greg's piano Forté
>>mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives

Greg Newell
Greg's piano Forté
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net 


_______________________________________________
pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives