[CAUT] picking out a new concert grand

[Andrew Anderson]

Sauter does this regularly.  We have had a 7'3" Omega chosen over a  
S&S D by a music department after a thorough comparison.  We didn't  
have a concert grand available over there at the time.  Usual terms  
involve covering the cost of transportation (some dealers will  
discount this), adequate onsite security measures and a definite  
calender schedule when the selection must be made or the movers will  
be scheduled to pick it up.

In all practicality, selection of a concert instrument should be done  
onsite by a deliberate process involving the music faculty most  
affected (not just the piano faculty but voice and instrumental where  
the instrument will be used for accompaniment.)  A technician may  
advise in pre-selection to help steer the best pianos into the  
selection process.  Several "all Steinway" schools now have a Sauter  
to offer a window into the variety of piano tone out there.

When it comes to the finest instruments, there really is no one "best"  
instrument.  If you can get your local dealer to get you a badge to  
NAMM in Anaheim (January) go and try the tier-one pianos out.  They  
are quite different from each other and spectacular in their own frame  
of reference.  Some features of one make or the other will really grab  
you.  My wife, a fine pianist and formerly quite a loyal Steinway fan,  
was "grabbed" by what she experienced when she first played Sauter.   
So now we are authorized dealers as well as myself being a technician  
for the local university and arts college.  Makes for an interesting  
balancing act when discussing pianos as tech./dealer.

Andrew Anderson

On Jul 28, 2009, at 9:52 AM, Fred Sturm wrote:

> And, BTW, it is quite possible that manufacturers might place a  
> piano on site for selection. Definitely worth looking into.
> On Jul 28, 2009, at 8:35 AM, Fred Sturm wrote:
>
>> ditto for Sauter. And Shigeru Kawai. Variety of voices.
>> Regards,
>> Fred Sturm
>> University of New Mexico
>> fssturm at unm.edu
>> "I am only interested in music that is better than it can be  
>> played." Schnabel
>> On Jul 28, 2009, at 8:19 AM, reggaepass at aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> If there is any detectable degree of open-minded-ness where  
>>> variety is concerned, consider a Steingreaber.
>>>
>>> Alan Eder
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: caut at ptg.org
>>> Sent: Mon, Jul 27, 2009 3:23 pm
>>> Subject: [CAUT] picking out a new concert grand
>>>
>>> List,
>>>
>>> I probably will be helping pick out some new concert  
>>> pianos...different brands.   What advice would you give for what  
>>> to look for in a concert instrument...i.e. looking at 4 different  
>>> Hamburgs and picking one out...
>>> The hall will be a 850 seat, vineyard style...
>>>
>>> David Ilvedson, RPT
>>> Pacifica, CA 94044
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
> fssturm at unm.edu
> "I am only interested in music that is better than it can be  
> played." Schnabel
>
>
>