Hi folks. Recently got called to do a CD and DVD recording session. The instrument was a nearly new 9 foot Bohemia from the Czech Republic. A real bear to tune really... lots of problems typically associated with these Czech instruments....tho all in all a reasonably nice sound once all is done. Thats always been their saving grace. A nice overall sound picture. This instrument however on this date was quite difficult. Lots of unsteadyness to the tone, not classic false beats but plagued with phasing like sounds that just would not go away no matter what was done. To top it off this was to be a live session. I was given 2 hours before they started and was to be on hand the whole day in case a string broke or something... but was in fact not allowed to touch the piano the whole day. So the piece below is the last one recorded on the first day. The artist is Suzanna Hlinka, a native Czech living in Australia. Niece of world famous Professor Juri Hlinka from same county. Professor Hlinka was one of Leif Ove Andsnes's principle instructors through many of his earlier years among other things. This is the Maestoso from Rachmanninoff - 6 moments musicaux op. 16. The tuning is my own version of the perfect 12ths priority. I have my own temperament sequence and set perfect 3:1 12ths for all notes from D3-A4 upwards and a best fit of 12th types 6:1 6:2 and 3:1 for the bass. This is accomplished strictly by aid of Pocket Tunelab and then tweaked by ear. The recording is not the best by any means... but you get a very good idea of the instrument and its qualities. Its a bit ... compact and chalky in the upper mid diskant for my liking. This is especially noticeable when she pushes the piano. The tuning held up quite well really. This is after about 5 hours of hard playing with no touch up in between. http://www.pianostemmer.no/music/maestoso.mp3 Hope you enjoy. Cheers RicB
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