piano preservation

[Anne Acker]

Del, Del!

You are NOT the fox in the henhouse here.  You were invited because you have worked on and seen many interesting pianos, and from the point of view of a piano designer.  We want you to be Del, expressing your honest views and opinions, that I at least respect, even when I may not agree.  There are no right and wrong answers for this.  Believe me, you have more than 15 minutes to say.  Don't let the over museum-y academic types put you off.    Those of us on the panel know full well that there have been different approaches throughout history.  For heaven's sake, the 18th century harpsichord builders cut up and rebuilt the 17th century harpsichords.   There isn't a Strad out there with its original neck, because the times and requirements changed.  

Besides, you have learned so much from all the pianos you've worked on.  That is enough to speak about right  there.  What about the issue of when a piano is or is not worth preserving?   Should we preserve presswood Baldwins from the 1980's?

Perhaps this discussion should go back behind the scenes?

Folks, you are seeing a taste of the goings on to be had at the Convention.  

Anne, who is usually the one who feels like the odd person out at PTG gatherings!




From:		"Delwin D Fandrich" <fandrich at pianobuilders.com>  [ Save Address ]
Reply-to:		Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
To:		<pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject:		piano preservation
Date:		Wed, 16 May 2007 10:41:45 -0700

Hi Jack,
 
I've been asked to take part in a panel discussion (sponsored by CAUT) on the preservation and restoration of historically significant pianos. I've been included, probably, because I'm something of a heretic and have been know, on occasion, to modify the odd piano. Also, I've designed one or two and they are interested in my perspective on seeing that work preserved. I'm not sure there is ever going to be any historical interest in that, but I've agreed to take part anyway.
 
Since you've long been the leading proponent of locating and preserving out piano heritage I'd like to include your thoughts on the subject. (We've all been asked to present a 10 to 15 minute talk on our particular area of interest and expertise and I can probably think of about 5 minutes of things to say.) Some of the things I think would be interesting to the discussion would be your interest and activities in locating and preserving (sometimes making) action models. Your work in obtaining interesting and historically significant instruments for the PTG museum. You might tell me more about the museum, for that. Anything you can think of and, especially, anything you think might be of help to the museum.
 
Regards,