Stanwood in Switzerland

[Jon Page]

List,
I thought you would be interested in the reception Dave received while
instructing a new Stanwood Touch Design installer and demonstrationing
"The New Touch Weight Metrology" to concert pianinsts in Switzerland.

I would like to second the closing remarks of the director Mr. Paul Haug.

Jon Page

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Schaffhausen, Switzerland

Schaffhauser News, Nr. 289. Friday, 12 December 1997


"Perfekte Spielart dank subtiler Technik" 

In Schaffhausen a great number of pianists were introduced for the first
time in Europe to 'Stanwood Touch Designs' for concert pianos.

(W.J.) For the European première of 'Stanwood Touch Designs' Conservatory
Director Paul K. Haug invited a number of well-known pianists to the Main
Hall of the Conservatory in the Münsterplatz.  With this new method,
developed in America by David C. Stanwood, the varying touch of old and new
concert pianos can be optimised in accordance with particular given data and
thereby any impairment to the pianist's technique due to mechanical
inadequacy can be eliminated.  Rudolf Serkin was the first to let himself be
convinced by the new system which allows for a perfectly uniform feel over
all 88 keys. After him, there also followed the likes of Ivo Pogorelich,
Murray Perahia and Keith Jarrett.

The method was presented in person by David C. Stanwood - the inventor of
the new system, who grew up near Boston - and Christian Glättli - the piano
maker who lives in Osterfingen. The method is based on making a precise
recording of the pressure on the key and other forces necessary in the
creation of a note. The relevant data is then evaluated with the help of a
computer by means of a program developed by David C. Stanwood. 
With the aid of the results of this evaluation, the stress and weight of the
elements involved in the production of the sound are adjusted so that the
desired result is achieved. For this, the two passionate "piano surgeons"
need up to five working days. A successful adaption costs - depending on
the effort required - between 5000 and 6000 Swiss Francs.

In a ninety-minute long discourse, Mr. Stanwood demonstrated how this new
system is based on intensive research, exceptional technical know-how and
the skills of a great craftsman. The pianists invited to the demonstration,
however, proved to be more interested in the results of the new method
rather than in any physical conformity with the natural laws of piano
mechanics. Whereby they were only too pleased to make the most of the
opportunity to put the two recently modified concert pianos in the Great
Hall of the Schaffhausen Music Conservatory to a through test.
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8200 Schaffhausen
December 12, 1997

Dear Sir or Madam
(To whom it may concern)

Mr. David C. Stanwood has fitted both grand pianos in the concert hall of
our school (Grotrian - Steinweg 277, Steinway B) with his Stanwood Touch
Design(TM). The result is excellent and it was quite evident that the touch
was greatly improved across the whole keyboard, as well as the repetition
which is now possible at a much faster rate. At the same time, the pianist
has more control which allows him a much finer gradiation of dynamics.  That
the tone also gains by these measures in beauty and in finish was confirmed
by all pianists who had previously played the instruments.

On December 10, 1997 Mr. Stanwood held an extremely instructive lecture, for
concert pianists who had come from all over Switzerland, about his work on
the mechanics of the grand piano and about his research in the fields of
wool and felt and he illustrated his talk with striking graphics which he
made from the exact measurements taken of our instruments.

The pianists and the representatives of the Swiss Conservatory and Music
College tested the instruments after the talk and were all, without exception,
very impressed. We are very grateful to Mr. Stanwood and can only hope that
the Stanwood Touch Designs(TM) will become an international standard
as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Haug - Director  
Musikschule & Conservatorium Schaffhausen
Rosengasse 16
8200 Schaffhausen CH

Telephone: 052 625 3403
Fax: 052 625 3430