Bravo Greg. David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Greg Newell Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 7:35 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Re: Franz Mohr Horace, This is all well and good and you are certainly correct in that there is much art in what we do. Still, the talking heads as you so brashly put it, have a great deal to say of some vital importance which will take the venerable piano well into the future in as much if not more of a beloved state than it already is with us. Why should any of us be "satisfied" with what was when we have the capability to do so very much more. This is where I take exception with the honored Franz Moor and why I left the meeting when it broke for a gratis dinner given by the local dealer. There are, perhaps, things that should be kept and not fussed with from the by gone era (though I can't think of any of them off hand) but where we can make it better why on earth wouldn't we? Because of a name plate or decal on the fallboard? Where would Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Ford, Chrysler or Dodge be today if there weren't backyard tinkerers or even large shops who thought they could add something to the overall product? Wouldn't it be considered a plus if soundboard, ribset, bridge placement, and stringing scale were enhanced so as to offer a product that needed no demonstrable heroics in voicing? Wouldn't it be considered a plus to have a predictable action setup so as to have a reliable touch and speed of repetition that didn't need a great deal of tweaking even from the factory delivery? Wouldn't it also be great to find alternatives and perhaps even better performing materials that wouldn't unduly deplete old growth forests raping the land of anything for the future? Well, I think you would all agree that these are positive things. Franz is of an era to be sure. Much of what he has to share is entertaining. I have difficulty with the posturing that his generation has made an instrument we all cherish the best it can ever be. In my mind improvement is ALWAYS possible and desired. best, Greg P.S. and not once did I denigrate or call anyone any names ... At 10:07 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote: >At 06:41 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote: > >>Heard him in Columbus, OH a while back. He lost me after I asked him if >>there was any room for improvement for the piano as a whole and he said >>no, the piano is now as good as it will ever be (or something very close >>to that). I left. > >Sorry that that was your experience. > >\\minor rant\\ > >FWIW, Franz is not only a product of his generation, he is the last living >link to what used to be at Steinway. Further, he teaches in >parables...stories. Even if they seem to be off target, they carry a >point. One simply has to be able to hear what is being said. Listen >carefully to what he says about working with Horowitz and you will >discover the "secret" of the latter's control. > >If one needs to hear endless reductive blather, then he is simply not the >guy. There are endless talking heads out there with little to say who >take great pleasure in saying it at great length. When all of the >measuring and weighing and all the rest of that stuff is over and done >with, the piano must still be a musical instrument which speaks or the >whole exercise has been a massive waste of time, energy and material. > >People forget that music and its allied arts are just that - art. At some >point, technique has played its part and it is time to move on to what >matters...communication of the ineffable. That certainly does not mean >that the development of the piano (or anything else, for that matter) has >to come to a close. It does mean that we all need to remember why it is >that we do what we do. > >\\end rant\\ > >Avery, if you make it to see him tomorrow, please give him my >regards. Also, please tell him that I am still using a "C" fork...Thanks! > >Best. > >Horace > > > >>Greg >> >> >> >>At 09:35 PM 6/23/2005, you wrote: >>>Don't hold your breath. It's a S&S PR speach and not much more. Unless, >>>of course, if you enjoy digging into S&S mythology...... >>> >>>Nice guy though. I did like him. However, I'm fairly content with my >>>religion. Just a bit much, IMHO. >>> >>>Terry Farrell >>> >>>>Just one of the good things about living in a BIG city. Franz Mohr is >>>>going to be >>>>here tomorrow at the Steinway dealership. I "think" it's just a talk >>>>kind of >>>>thing but we're supposed to get a copy of his book! I'm really looking >>>>forward >>>>to it! Thankfully, I don't HAVE to work tomorrow! :-) >>>> >>>>Avery >>> >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> >>Greg Newell >>Greg's piano Forté >>mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net >> >>_______________________________________________ >>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives Greg Newell Greg's piano Forté mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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