CAUT

  • 1.  Disklavier in a performance hall~

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-13-2019 15:10
    HI all-

    Related to our recent discussion on Performance Pianos, I'd like to ask your opinion, or listen to experiences, of having a Concert grand in a high demand venue that is equipped with a Disklavier.   We have several disklaviers in the department, but not on stage, and for lots of technical reasons- I'd rather not go there.  However, what if otherwise it's a fantastic instrument and the players all love it?  How strong would your position be against that, or would it be just fine?  That is a question I'm wrestling with at the moment, so would appreciate any feedback.  My position has been I would prefer not, especially regarding modifications to the action that make service more time consuming, but if the group loves the piano otherwise those concerns are secondary.  Do you think I should take a stronger position on that, or just let it be? 

    thanks,
    Dennis.  

    --
    Dennis Johnson, R.P.T.
    Piano Technician
    Music Dept.
    St. Olaf College


  • 2.  RE: Disklavier in a performance hall~

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-14-2019 05:38
    The question is what would be accomplished to have a disklavier on stage? Is faculty driving that? Yes, access to action is impeded.

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    Mario Igrec, RPT
    http://www.pianosinsideout.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Disklavier in a performance hall~

    Posted 03-14-2019 10:30
    We do have just one Disklavier a 7' Yamaha about 4 years old, it is not in our main Concert Hall with the 5 model D's but in a performance space  that does host many student recitals,  masterclasses,  chamber recitals and the like. It was purchased with the thought that apart from traditional usage it would open the doors to have remote world wide masterclasses, auditions and everything else that the technology offered, this has NOT been the case, and without getting  into the  weeds  as to why, I could count on one hand with a couple left over !!  the amount of  extended usage over the 4 years. The piano itself is fine  fortunately maintenance has been routine tuning, reg. and voicing. so issues of working around the Disklavier apparatus have not been a major problem .We are actually thinking of relocating  the piano away from this performance space  and actively searching for a Steinway B   at the NY selection room.

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    Martin Snow
    Boston MA
    617-543-1030
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Disklavier in a performance hall~

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-14-2019 14:57
    What would be very cool (IMO) regarding Disklaviers would be an artist would play one part of a duet on it in front of the audience, then walk over to another piano on stage. He could then proceed to activate the Disklavier while simultaneously playing the other duet part on the second piano. 

    I'm sure someone's done something similar already. If not they'll think it up sooner or later - so best to be prepared as a technician to deal with that day, IMHO.

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    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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    Original Message