Note by Note:The Making of Steinway L1037

[cwithboat]

Great documentary film featuring precision woodworking and fabulous music. Well worth the time. Available at Netflix.

[Alex Franke]

Sounds like my kind of DVD. That's for the tip -- it's on our list now!

[Alex Franke]

Great film! I can see why they're so darned expensive. I got a kick out of the nepotism comments -- "no nepotism at Steinway & Sons"

[smorris]

Mrs. Leverlilly: You've ruined that piano!
Clouseau: What is the price of one piano compared to the terrible crime that's been committed here?
Mrs. Leverlilly: But that's a priceless Steinway!
Clouseau: Not anymore!

[LCHIEN]

I just watched this documentary. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Just the right amount of woodworking and music - they contrast the artistry of the musicians with the artistry of the craftsmen who make this piano the old fashioned way.

Be sure and watch the extra material if you want more depth.

thanks for the recommendation.

(rented from netflix).

[LCHIEN]

I just watched this documentary. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Just the right amount of woodworking and music - they contrast the artistry of the musicians with the artistry of the craftsmen who make this piano the old fashioned way.

Be sure and watch the extra material if you want more depth.

thanks for the recommendation.

(rented from netflix).

Bumping this one up.
Now available on Netflix instant play.
A great movie for those interested in classical music and woodworking.

[TB Roye]

We have a Steinway Grand Piano, one of 3 left in the world in our church. It is need of restoration but is to expensive for us to do. The are only 60 members left and we are barely making it as it is. It is a beautiful piece of workmanship. Oh it came around the horn in the late 1800's and was bought by 3 women in the church for $1500. It was played at my conformation, wedding, son's conformation, my parents funerals and many other occasions. We have move into a side and do not use much any more, just on very special occasions it is hard to keep in tune and some big cast iron piece is cracked so we can't keep tightening the strings. It we played at on of original punchers son's funeral some time in the further and maybe mine if it still can carry a tune. It was always a thrill to here an accomplished pianist play it, it sang.

Tom

[chopnhack]

We have move into a side and do not use much any more, just on very special occasions it is hard to keep in tune and some big cast iron piece is cracked so we can't keep tightening the strings.
Tom

Oh, man that is a shame Tom. That cast iron piece is called the plate IIRC and it really is the heart of the piano... I wish that your congregation was larger and could fund the restoration. Would the Diocese be interested in funding something like that?

Thanks for the tip on the movie, will have to try and find that

[wardprobst]

The cast iron structure is called the plate or harp and they can be repaired by a competent firm. We've done it here and as have several others. If your church is storing the piano on its side and then setting it up for special events that may be one reason it is not staying in tune. I assume your church is using a competent technician, you can find one by zip code here:http://www.ptg.org
Many churches do fund raisers just for specific projects like this, it's popular in our area to divide by 88 and "sell" keys. If your church needs to, they can probably sell the piano to someone who can restore it and raise a few dollars for the treasury.
Hope this helps,
DP

[TB Roye]

This an old Swedish Lutheran Church founded in 1918 We are on our own on this. We are looking at selling it or donating it to the Local Museum. I is on a heavy steel from that support the 3 legs so it can be moved safely It is kept covered and in room that is heated and air conditioned. It is over 125 years old I believe or even from the civil war era. Sadly the people who knew the history are all gone. The is supposed to be a Serial number on it but it is not in the place Steinway says it should be, least they know of and have given us some ot the history and the 2 former owners. I do have a CD of the late Organist of our church playing it and did sing beautifully the last time it was use was at the Christmas Concert given by Sacramento City College this was also the last performance of the director who retired at the first of the year so there probably won't be any more concerts either as the College has complete their performing arts center. Garsion Kellor played it once years ago when he was visiting friends here.


Tom