<HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV>Jeff-</DIV> <DIV>Who is so concerned about such accuracy?</DIV> <DIV>If the performer is concerned, let him/her find a recording of the piece performed by a recognized authority, then adjust your piano to make similar sounds.</DIV> <DIV>Ed Sutton<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message----- <BR>From: Jeff Tanner <JTANNER@MOZART.SC.EDU><BR>Sent: Oct 20, 2005 2:30 PM <BR>To: College and University Technicians <CAUT@PTG.ORG><BR>Subject: Re: [CAUT] John Cage, "The Earth Shall Bear Again" <BR><BR><ZZZHTML><ZZZBODY style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; khtml-nbsp-mode: space; khtml-line-break: after-white-space"><BR></DIV> <DIV> <DIV>On Oct 20, 2005, at 2:04 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:</DIV><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Helvetica" face=Helvetica size=3>Picking up this broken thread, I just came across the information that Cage composed at a Steinway model O. This is particularly useful information <snip><BR></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>yes, very!  Thank you!</DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Helvetica" face=Helvetica size=3>when deciphering his more detailed preparation instructions: there are a few pieces where he specifies distance from dampers or bridge within 1/16".<BR></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>Yes, this piece specifies distance from dampers to within 1/16", like you say.  But oddly, given such precise measurements, I don't understand why he didn't go ahead and specify what size screws?  exactly what he meant by "piece of plastic", "large piece of bamboo", and "two thicknesses of woolen material"?</DIV> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>His genius has been touted, yet he didn't have the foresight to consider what effects would be brought about by performing on larger or smaller instruments (or instruments with a strut in the way).</DIV> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>I've still got to go look up that book Eric mentioned, and I'm going to.  I've also suggested to the student that she go check it out.</DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Helvetica" face=Helvetica size=3>(OTOH, there are many pieces where he is very vague about where along the string length to place the prescribed object). Obviously, the precise instructions should be modified when using a different size piano. If, as is likely, an O isn't available, L or A would be good substitutes (or 6' + or - in other makes).</FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>And, no, we don't have an O or an A, and there are no double doors through which we might roll an L or B (come to think of it, a lack of double doors to the hall isn't the only problem) -- either would have to be broken down and brought in and set back up.  Too much trouble for this, I think, especially considering we are technically supposed to have to pay the university movers to come move pianos.  The recital will have to be done on one of our two Ds in the hall.</DIV> <DIV><BR class=khtml-block-placeholder></DIV> <DIV>Is there enough scale difference between an O and an L to make his measurements incorrect for an L?</DIV> <DIV>Jeff</DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Helvetica" face=Helvetica size=3>Regards,</FONT></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"><FONT style="FONT: 12px Helvetica" face=Helvetica size=3>Fred Sturm</FONT></P><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV></ZZZBODY></ZZZHTML></BODY>