[CAUT] Steinway Style II Grand

[Ed Sutton]

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Steve-

Consider the Metropolitan Museum's Christofori piano.  In the 1930's it was "restored." The original soundboard, pinblock and strings were replaced and discarded.  The "restoration" has never worked right and the information needed to make it right was lost when the original parts were thrown out.  So what they have now is really the world's oldest piano case.

Putting genuine 2005 Steinway parts in a genuine 1870's Steinway is like putting a new Ford engine in a model T.  It will not produce a modern performance instrument, and will destroy the real, long term value of the historic instrument.  It will be a freak.

John Koster (formerly with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts Musical Instrument Collection, now Curator of Keyboard Instruments with the Shrine to Music Museum) is the sort of person whose opinion you need here.
http://www.usd.edu/smm.  He was very generous in answering my many clumsy questions about an instrument a few years ago.

Andrew Willis of the Music Department of UNC Greensboro has given wonderful performances on 19th century pianos.  He has a knack for getting the "logic" of the instrument and showing what it can do that modern actions cannot do.  He isn't the only one pushing the envelope of knowedge in performance.

If your customer insists on "improving" the design, at least consider the value of documenting and saving everything that is removed from the instrument.  There is a lot to learn about the technology of these almost modern instruments.  Appropriate strings, such as Pure Sound wire, can make a big difference.  

Incidentally, a few months ago a Canadian dealer tried to sell a similar instrument ("fully restored with genuine Steinway parts") for a high price on eBay.  I don't believe there were any bids.

Ed Sutton

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Stephen Snyder 
To: College and University Technicians
Sent: 2/10/2005 9:10:12 PM 
Subject: [CAUT] Steinway Style II Grand


Dear Friends,

I have a customer with a Steinway Style II grand.  This was in production for a couple of years between 1872 and 1873 before the introduction of the Steinway B.  I hope some of you are familiar with this piano.   This piano appears to be in original condition , but is in need of restoration/ preservation.  I'm looking for feedback on whether it would be best to restore the piano -new soundboard, pinblock,bridge caps action parts.etc. or preserve the  the piano using as many of the original components as possible?  I realize there will be no clear cut answer, but given the historic/antique nature of the instrument your thoughts will be appreciated.

Regards,
Steve

Stephen Snyder
Registered Piano Technician
342 Scotts Lake Road
Salem, NY 12865
518-854-3888

e-mail: shsnyder@sover.net


 
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