[CAUT] 1850's Pleyel Grand

[Ed Sutton]

The Journal is running an extended series on understanding and restoring 
19th century pianos.
Conservators have special techniques for working on pianos like this, and 
they are going to share some of them with us.
Epoxy consolidation of a pinblock, for example, is much easier than removing 
and replacing a mortised block.
I hope you will wait a few months to learn about this.
It is helpful, in fact crucial to develop a collegial relationship with 
someone who specializes in dealing with
"pre-modern" instruments.  The "snuff" you try to bring it up to should be 
the "snuff" it was made for.
Note, for example, the description of the sustain on Chopin's piano in the 
Times link from Linda Strahle.  In her articles on 18th and 19th century 
pianos Anne Acker has given descriptions of the relationship between the 
sound of historic instruments and the interpretation of music written for 
those pianos.

Ed Sutton

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Brekne" <ricb at pianostemmer.no>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>; <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 2:38 PM
Subject: [CAUT] 1850's Pleyel Grand


> Hi folks.
>
> Just ran into this instrument tonite... couldnt help myself so I bought it 
> on the spot.  Wont say for how much as I really dont know whether I've 
> paid too much or got it cheap.  Its functional but will need quite a bit 
> of work to come up to snuff.  Pin block is more or less shot and I suppose 
> the old board really has seen far better days. Looks very nice tho.
>
> The thing is from 1850 or so...  serial number 18XXX
>
> http://www.pianostemmer.no/images/Pleyel.jpg
>
>
> Anyone having any good words of advice for me please be sure to share them 
> either in public or in private.
>
> Cheers
> RicB