Crumbling pianos?

[Fred S. Sturm]

One thing you should tell the music director is that Crumb wrote at the piano
in his office, which was a Steinway L, I believe. Hence, his inside the piano
moves are designed with that geometry in mind - where the struts are, for
example. Much of what he wrote doesn't work well on a 9 foot concert grand.
Trying to reach the correct nodes on strings can be impossible on such a long
instrument as well. So a model L (or maybe M) Steinway, Yamaha C-2, or
similar, might work better for them.
    I have used Post-its for marking nodes - just a very small strip from the
stick part, fished through and around the string. Doesn't seem to have much
effect on the sound of the string, and leaves no perceptible residue.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

Blaine Vesely wrote:

> List,
> Anyone have experience with "Music for a Summer Evening" by George
> Crumb?  Music director says "No nuts and bolts in this one, more like
> strumming and plucking at specific nodal points on the strings."  I am
> interested in how others have marked plucking points on strings.  The
> performance is in 3 1/2 weeks so I need to formulate a plan.  One of the
> pianists indicated he has used chalk; he also has put small pieces of tape
> around the string.  The instructions in the score indicate using
> crayon.  What are the chances that the bass strings will develop "delayed
> onset metallitis"?
>
> Blaine Vesely
> Kent State University