List, I thought you would be interested in the reception Dave received while instructing a new Stanwood Touch Design installer and demonstrationing "The New Touch Weight Metrology" to concert pianinsts in Switzerland. I would like to second the closing remarks of the director Mr. Paul Haug. Jon Page ************************* Schaffhausen, Switzerland Schaffhauser News, Nr. 289. Friday, 12 December 1997 "Perfekte Spielart dank subtiler Technik" In Schaffhausen a great number of pianists were introduced for the first time in Europe to 'Stanwood Touch Designs' for concert pianos. (W.J.) For the European première of 'Stanwood Touch Designs' Conservatory Director Paul K. Haug invited a number of well-known pianists to the Main Hall of the Conservatory in the Münsterplatz. With this new method, developed in America by David C. Stanwood, the varying touch of old and new concert pianos can be optimised in accordance with particular given data and thereby any impairment to the pianist's technique due to mechanical inadequacy can be eliminated. Rudolf Serkin was the first to let himself be convinced by the new system which allows for a perfectly uniform feel over all 88 keys. After him, there also followed the likes of Ivo Pogorelich, Murray Perahia and Keith Jarrett. The method was presented in person by David C. Stanwood - the inventor of the new system, who grew up near Boston - and Christian Glättli - the piano maker who lives in Osterfingen. The method is based on making a precise recording of the pressure on the key and other forces necessary in the creation of a note. The relevant data is then evaluated with the help of a computer by means of a program developed by David C. Stanwood. With the aid of the results of this evaluation, the stress and weight of the elements involved in the production of the sound are adjusted so that the desired result is achieved. For this, the two passionate "piano surgeons" need up to five working days. A successful adaption costs - depending on the effort required - between 5000 and 6000 Swiss Francs. In a ninety-minute long discourse, Mr. Stanwood demonstrated how this new system is based on intensive research, exceptional technical know-how and the skills of a great craftsman. The pianists invited to the demonstration, however, proved to be more interested in the results of the new method rather than in any physical conformity with the natural laws of piano mechanics. Whereby they were only too pleased to make the most of the opportunity to put the two recently modified concert pianos in the Great Hall of the Schaffhausen Music Conservatory to a through test. **************************************************************************** ****** 8200 Schaffhausen December 12, 1997 Dear Sir or Madam (To whom it may concern) Mr. David C. Stanwood has fitted both grand pianos in the concert hall of our school (Grotrian - Steinweg 277, Steinway B) with his Stanwood Touch Design(TM). The result is excellent and it was quite evident that the touch was greatly improved across the whole keyboard, as well as the repetition which is now possible at a much faster rate. At the same time, the pianist has more control which allows him a much finer gradiation of dynamics. That the tone also gains by these measures in beauty and in finish was confirmed by all pianists who had previously played the instruments. On December 10, 1997 Mr. Stanwood held an extremely instructive lecture, for concert pianists who had come from all over Switzerland, about his work on the mechanics of the grand piano and about his research in the fields of wool and felt and he illustrated his talk with striking graphics which he made from the exact measurements taken of our instruments. The pianists and the representatives of the Swiss Conservatory and Music College tested the instruments after the talk and were all, without exception, very impressed. We are very grateful to Mr. Stanwood and can only hope that the Stanwood Touch Designs(TM) will become an international standard as soon as possible. Yours Sincerely, Paul Haug - Director Musikschule & Conservatorium Schaffhausen Rosengasse 16 8200 Schaffhausen CH Telephone: 052 625 3403 Fax: 052 625 3430
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