[CAUT] The Well-Prepared Piano

[Andrew Anderson]

As I recall from chapter meetings, the technician at UTEP would be 
worth contacting.

Andrew Anderson (now in Laredo)

At 11:35 AM 3/7/2006, you wrote:
>Hello Charles,
>
>Forgive my intrusion, since you were speaking to Fred.  I couldn't help
>responded to your message because I know that instrument, or at least I used
>to when it was new.  I was working at the Steinway dealer in Dallas at the
>time (mid to late eighties).  I believe I prepped it for delivery and flew
>out there on two occations to tune for visiting artists (Lorin Hollander and
>Horacio Guttierez).
>
>It was a pretty good instrument, but frankly I was horrified by the
>condition it was in.  It took me a whole day's work just to make it
>playable.  There were, I believe, two principle reasons for this.  First of
>all, of course, the radical climatic change from Dallas to El Paso.
>Secondly, the piano was not receiving proper maintenance.  I was told at the
>time of my arrival that a local tuner had "tuned it yesterday so it would be
>in shape for my visit."  There simply was no one available that was capable
>of maintaining a new concert grand.  I know that this is not very
>encouraging news, but thought I'd better throw my two cents in.  I think
>that this piano has languished, neglected and uncared for most of its life.
>
>Respectfully,
>
>Craig Waldrop, RPT
>Baylor School of Music
>254.710.1723
>Craig_Waldrop at baylor.edu
>
>
>On 3/7/06 8:19 AM, "Charles K. Ball" <ckball at mail.utexas.edu> wrote:
>
> > Dear Fred,
> >
> > The photo copy arrived on Friday and I appreciate it very much.
> >
> > I flew out to El Paso last week to take a look at the El Paso
> > Symphony Orchestra's piano.  It is a 1985 Steinway D that stands
> > desperately in need of action and damper work.  I think that
> > potentially it is a good instrument.  It has an ivory Kluge keyboard
> > and was from the brief period when S&S was using Renner shanks and
> > reps in its B's and D's.  I think that it might have a Renner
> > backaction as well.
> >
> > Apparently they had just started using Guy Nichols to do their prep.
> > Do you know any other techs in that area who are capable of high
> > level concert work?  Their board may decide to purchase a new piano
> > or to rebuild the present one, or both, but whichever option they
> > choose, they will need a good technician to maintain the piano.  Is
> > that too far for you to travel?
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Charles
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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