This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Michael Gamble=20 To: Rob Goodale ; Pianotech=20 Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2003 5:41 PM Subject: Re: More on the Broadwood piano Hello Rob Goodale who said:=20 "(someone commented on this a few days ago, I'm not sure who because = it's on my other computer at home). " I am the guilty party who commented on the action in your "find". I = could only describe the way the hammer butts fit in on one long = centre-pin captivated by about four (or may be five) brass "comb-like" = plates. Under the main rail are the set-off screws. Be very careful = here. Do not adjust unless you're certain they can be adjusted without = breaking. In this I would suggest heating the shank of the set-off screw = with a soldering iron in one hand and "wiggling" the correct size = slot-head tipped regulating tool in the other. I have a book here = entitled "Broadwood by Appointment a History" by David Wainwright. = Published by Quiller Press Ltd., 11a Albemarle St., London W1X 3HE in = 1982. ISBN 0 907621 10 4 I also mentioned the possibility of finding the various craftsmens names = stamped on various parts of the piano and its action, suggesting you = might find one of the Dove family included. As for "who played this piano and what was played on it" most certainly = Chopin. In fact I have an LP (remember those things?) of the last = programme played by Frederic Chopin himself on a Broadwood Grand in = London just before his death. The pianist, Kenneth van Barthold, played = on the actual piano used by M.Chopin and the sale of the PLs was to = raise funds for that piano's restoration. The piano is in a museum near = London. Historical books on the life of Chopin are also of interest = here. Indeed Beethoven himself was sent a Broadwood by the company in = 1818. Thomas Broadwood, head of the firm at that time, visited Beethoven = in Vienna - then sent him a fortepiano. Beethoven wrote back to Thomas a = thank-you letter "My very dear friend Broadwood, I have never felt a = greater pleasure than your honour's intimation of the arrival of this = piano with which you are honouring me as a present. As soon as I receive = your excellent instrument, I shall immediately sernd you the fruits of = the first moments of inspiration I spend at it, as a souvenir for you = from me, my very dear B, and I hope they will bve worthy of your = instrument.".... etc. When Beethoven died the six 8ve mahogany Broadwood = grand was given to Franz Liszt who left it in his will to the Hungarian = National Museum in Budapest. It was later used by Melvyn Tan for a = series of recitals in Budapest, Bonn (where Beethoven was born), Vieanna = (where he died) and London where it was made. It is insured (this is the = interesting part!) for =A35 million. That was in 1991. What is its = value now - 12 years later?... I could go on, but everyone MUST be bored = by now. Regards Michael G (UK) Any more? Regards Michael G (UK) ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/08/76/28/a5/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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