[CAUT] picking out a new concert grand

[David Ilvedson]

I think the NAMM show is a good idea...but can you actually hear the pianos in all that din...?

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Andrew Anderson" <andrew at andersonmusic.com>
To: caut at ptg.org
Received: 7/28/2009 12:41:23 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] picking out a new concert grand


>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
>>
>>
>>