---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Ed, As one who has worked on both original and "modernized" instruments at=20= the "National Music Museum" (formerly the Shrine to Music Museum), I=20 agree with your statements wholeheartedly. John Koster can tell you=20 stories of instruments being donated to the museum that were=20 "modernized". They are worthless as instruments modern or original. =20 They are neither. Yes, they are freaks. The fully restored and functional keyboard instruments at our museum=20 on the University of South Dakota campus are played by accomplished=20 keyboardists worldwide. They wouldn't travel here to play=20 "modernized" instruments from the early ages of the keyboard. Tim Coates University of South Dakota University of Sioux Falls On Feb 11, 2005, at 8:24 PM, Ed Sutton wrote: > Steve- > =A0 > Consider the Metropolitan Museum's Christofori piano.=A0 In the 1930's=20= > it was "restored." The original soundboard, pinblock and strings were=20= > replaced and discarded.=A0 The "restoration" has never worked right = and=20 > the information needed to make it right was lost when the original=20 > parts were thrown out.=A0 So what they have now is really the world's=20= > oldest piano case. > =A0 > Putting genuine 2005 Steinway parts in a genuine 1870's Steinway is=20 > like putting a new Ford engine in a model T.=A0 It will not produce a=20= > modern performance instrument, and will destroy the real, long=20 > term=A0value of the historic instrument.=A0 It will be a freak. > =A0 > John Koster (formerly with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts Musical=20 > Instrument Collection, now Curator of Keyboard Instruments with the=20 > Shrine to Music Museum) is the sort of person whose opinion you need=20= > here. > http://www.usd.edu/smm.=A0 He was very generous in answering my many=20= > clumsy questions about an instrument a few years ago. > =A0 > Andrew Willis of the Music Department of UNC Greensboro has given=20 > wonderful performances on 19th century pianos.=A0 He has a knack for=20= > getting the "logic" of the instrument and showing what it can do that=20= > modern actions cannot do.=A0 He isn't the only one pushing the = envelope=20 > of knowedge in performance. > =A0 > If your customer insists on "improving" the design, at least consider=20= > the value of documenting and saving everything that is removed from=20 > the instrument.=A0 There is a lot to learn about the technology of = these=20 > almost modern instruments.=A0 Appropriate strings, such as Pure Sound=20= > wire, can make a big difference.=A0 > =A0 > Incidentally, a few months ago a Canadian dealer tried to sell a=20 > similar instrument ("fully restored with genuine Steinway parts") for=20= > a high price on eBay.=A0 I don't believe there were any bids. > =A0 > Ed Sutton > =A0 > ----- 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, > =A0 > I have a customer with a Steinway Style II grand.=A0 This was in=20 > production for a couple of years between 1872 and 1873 before the=20 > introduction of the Steinway B.=A0 I hope some of you are familiar = with=20 > this piano.=A0=A0 This piano appears to be in original condition , but = is=20 > in need of restoration/ preservation.=A0 I'm looking for feedback on=20= > whether it would be best to restore the piano -new soundboard,=20 > pinblock,bridge caps action parts.etc. or=A0preserve the =A0the piano=20= > using as many of the original components as possible?=A0 I realize = there=20 > will be no clear cut answer, but given the historic/antique nature of=20= > the instrument your thoughts will be appreciated. > =A0 > Regards, > Steve > =A0 > Stephen Snyder > Registered Piano Technician > 342 Scotts Lake Road > Salem, NY 12865 > 518-854-3888 > =A0 > e-mail: shsnyder@sover.net > =A0 > > =A0 ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 6638 bytes Desc: not available Url : https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/dd/58/3f/9e/attachment.bin ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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