OK, so, last night I went to hear Angela Hewitt playing Book 1 of Bach's Well-tempered Klavier at City Halls, Glasgow. I've been to lots of recitals over the years. This was just about the most joyous, moving and uplifting ever. Ms Hewitt's preludes and fugues were profound, spiritual, considered, moving, never mechanical, never affected. As I hoped, she played a Fazioli (her own?) and though I have played them, and have CDs of them, this was the first time I have heard one live in recital. I had a good seat, about twelve feet away from the piano. City Halls Glasgow has a legendary acoustic. It was completely refurbished a couple of years ago. The tuner came on it the interval to tweak. I didn't speak to him as there was quite a bit of interest in the Fazioli and a good few people went up to the stage - some on to it - to look at the piano and chat to the tuner. (the stage is fairly low). Ms Hewitt used all three pedals. The piano sound was superb. I've sometimes felt that Faziolis in recordings I've heard sound rather cold somehow. So it was interesting to listen in live recital. Having played a few of them myself I know that they feel fantastically even and the tone quality is equally fantastically even and well-balanced. In recital it was a delight to listen to. Only the fact that I have another appointment prevents me from going back on Monday to hear Book 2. If you're in the UK, go! Yesterday afternoon I tuned the beautiful Steinway B in the local theatre, for performance of Scots light baritone Peter Morrison (his mother taught beside my late Aunt). The Steinway there is from the 1880s but was superbly reconditioned by Steinway about 27 years ago, and it's wonderful. A friend who went to the concert last night told me this morning that Peter Morrison commented favourably on the wonderful piano......it's all in the tuning, of course! Best regards, David.
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