The Horowitz Steinway

[A440A@aol.com]

Joe writes: 
<< >Hmmmm? When I saw the piano, it was accompanied by Franz. At that time he
>stated that it had NOT been changed, in any way! Now either Franz was lying
>or he was unaware of any changes made. How do you explain this?<G>


Bill reples: 
>>What year was the when you saw this piano. If it was after his death 
in 11/89, it would have most likely be the piano which the Steinway 
factory put a new action in (including keyboard) and then sent on 
tour as the "Horowitz Piano". I remember seeing it at M. Steinert in 
Boston in 12/91 (though it could have been '90). >>

Greetings, 
    I was able to examine this piano at the factory shortly after it was 
returned from Horowitz's use, (Spring of 1990, I think). It was sitting in the 
back area near the teaching classroom and loading docks.  It was as others have 
mentioned, hard,small hammers, weak springs, late dampers, hair-breath let-off 
and drop,etc.  
  When the "Horowitz piano" went out on tour,  Nashville was its second stop, 
(IIRC).  While it was sitting on the Blair stage, I was able to once again 
take a look.  New shanks, hammers, whippens, dampers and strings. But the keys 
were the same.  What I found interesting was that the soundboard was exhibiting 
no downbearing in the middle!  This was the same as it had been in the 
factory.  
 David Grossi, who was head of the restoration dept told me, personally, that 
all the parts had been changed and that the old ones, to his knowledge, had 
been thrown away. 



Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html