CAUT

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

Reminds me of a The Unseen Artist vcr tape published long ago by PTG.
I don't recall if it has ever been an issue for me to have to be recognized for involvement in a project, though I do understand it matters to some, and that is okay.

Great blog by the way. Don't really understand why it would not be a decent article for the Journal though. Too long? Something else? I don't know.

Keith McGavern, RPT
Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
tune-repair@allegiance.tv

Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
... Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work. ...

A very interesting article.  This happens all the time.  It's ironic that as technicians we strive for transparency and to not be noticed; to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  And when we are invisible and unnoticed, we feel slighted.

-------------------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

I have to agree with you, Robert.

This person's reward, if there is ultimately such a thing in life other than monetary earnings, is the exchange he had with the pianist prior to the session, as he indicated in the blog.

It certainly would have been sufficient for me to know that this pianist was pleased with the efforts I extended to do for their important performance. Even if it didn't measure up, this particular pianist made no such reference, and that's as professional a thing that one can do.

Keith McGavern, RPT
Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
tune-repair@allegiance.tv

Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2013 11:42
From: Robert Callaghan
...  It's ironic that as technicians we strive for transparency and to not be noticed; to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  And when we are invisible and unnoticed, we feel slighted. ...

Hi-

Now that sounds confusing...  How does being transparent and/or "not being noticed" have anything directly to do with being part of the solution or part of the problem?  If we, as a member of the professional team that contributed to the success of an event, receive modest acknowledgment along with the rest of that team, does that diminish from the personal rewards and satisfaction we get by being involved in the first place?  This I do not understand.  To some degree it could also be seen as shallow to be so focused on your own personal experience that it doesn't matter what is good for the profession as a whole.  If we, as professionals, are acknowledged as professionals and some of that gets demonstrated in an appropriately modest and public way this helps this whole profession.  One the hand we get frustrated by a seemingly lack of young talent being attracted to the profession, but on the other it seems a majority of RPT's feel comfortable, perhaps secure, in the shadows. I'm not going to tell anyone who prefers being unnoticed they must change, but this is how our culture works, like it or not. Are we suggesting that the other technical help did not receive the personal hand shake or glance of approval we did, so therefore their mention is in the credits?  Nonsense. Admittedly, on rare occasion I've been acknowledged a bit too much for my own comfort level.  There is fine line, but it's not complicated.  Much more often a simple mention in fine print at the end of the program, along with the other technical/managerial staff or contracted help, would have publicly confirmed an appreciation we already sense.  This is good.  

I already tried a shot at this issue 3 years ago and it went nowhere.  What I tried to was a lot more than publish a simple article in the Journal however.  At that time the majority reaction was very strong and completely took me by surprise, so I'm not so surprised now the article was declined. 

peace,

Dennis Johnson


-------------------------------------------
Dennis Johnson, R.P.T.
St. Olaf College
Music Dept.
Northfield, MN 55337
sta2ned@stolaf.edu
(507) 786-3587
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2013 11:42
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

A very interesting article.  This happens all the time.  It's ironic that as technicians we strive for transparency and to not be noticed; to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  And when we are invisible and unnoticed, we feel slighted.

-------------------------------------------
Robert Callaghan
Reno NV
775-287-2140
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

I experienced a rather egregious and painful (yes, I'll admit it) example of just this sort of thing not long ago: three days working at AIR Studios in London on a Harmonia Mundi recording of Schubert songs, keeping the piano as perfectly tuned as I was capable, responding to the famous pianist's voicing requests as required. In the control room the whole time, listening to every take, every discussion regarding interpretation, performance, etc; Fascinating, inspiring stuff.

At the session end, I decided to be a bit more forward than usual and ask if I would be mentioned in the liner notes, and was assured by the big name producer that I would be. (My name was duly noted on a form in order to insure this).

A few months later I bought the CD in question with anticipation, only to find - on an otherwise mostly bare page - acknowledgement given to the producer, recording engineer, translator (ie language coach), and photographer. Apparently no piano technician was present.

Pretty bloody rude, frankly. Obviously I have the satisfaction of listening to the recording and knowing the crucial difference my work made on the quality of sound. But It would also be meaningful to have been given a credit, so that people don't just have to take my word for it that I was there.

There: I've said it. I feel better now  : )

I  suppose it's a cultural (and no doubt political) thing in the end. I think piano technicians should work out how to not be taken so much for granted. This "unseen artist" thing goes way too far, in my opinion. I notice pop music recordings seem to be much more appropriately generous in mentioning anyone and everyone that's played a role in a project.

Over the years there have been, of course, pianists and producers who have been generous enough to give credit in the liner notes. I was surprised that in this instance such a high profile company would neglect to; you'd think it would happen as a matter of course.  

I'm also surprised this article wasn't printed in the journal; it's beautifully written, and an important topic worthy of being aired. 

Respectfully,





-------------------------------------------
Allen Wright, RPT
London, United Kingdom


-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

Very nice article. I too wonder why it wouldn't be published in the journal. Seems very odd...

Glad you feel better Allen. That's what friends are for ; )
(Hmmm, that might make a good song.)

-------------------------------------------
Scott Kerns
"That Tuning Guy"
Lincoln, NE
www.thattuningguy.com
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-07-2013 16:22
From: Allen Wright
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

I experienced a rather egregious and painful (yes, I'll admit it) example of just this sort of thing not long ago: three days working at AIR Studios in London on a Harmonia Mundi recording of Schubert songs, keeping the piano as perfectly tuned as I was capable, responding to the famous pianist's voicing requests as required. In the control room the whole time, listening to every take, every discussion regarding interpretation, performance, etc; Fascinating, inspiring stuff.

At the session end, I decided to be a bit more forward than usual and ask if I would be mentioned in the liner notes, and was assured by the big name producer that I would be. (My name was duly noted on a form in order to insure this).

A few months later I bought the CD in question with anticipation, only to find - on an otherwise mostly bare page - acknowledgement given to the producer, recording engineer, translator (ie language coach), and photographer. Apparently no piano technician was present.

Pretty bloody rude, frankly. Obviously I have the satisfaction of listening to the recording and knowing the crucial difference my work made on the quality of sound. But It would also be meaningful to have been given a credit, so that people don't just have to take my word for it that I was there.

There: I've said it. I feel better now  : )

I  suppose it's a cultural (and no doubt political) thing in the end. I think piano technicians should work out how to not be taken so much for granted. This "unseen artist" thing goes way too far, in my opinion. I notice pop music recordings seem to be much more appropriately generous in mentioning anyone and everyone that's played a role in a project.

Over the years there have been, of course, pianists and producers who have been generous enough to give credit in the liner notes. I was surprised that in this instance such a high profile company would neglect to; you'd think it would happen as a matter of course.  

I'm also surprised this article wasn't printed in the journal; it's beautifully written, and an important topic worthy of being aired. 

Respectfully,





-------------------------------------------
Allen Wright, RPT
London, United Kingdom


-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

If you have not seen this video/movie "Pianomania", give it a look. I must say the concert tech in this video goes to
great lengths to satisfy these high caliber performers and recording artists. There are several parts of the film
that are also very informative. The practice of "sharpening" the pitch when tuning unisons to influence sustain, or
take it out, depending on if you add it or not, etc is not a subject talked about much, though has been some.
Here's the trailer:

 http://youtu.be/z2TX9KYIKpA

there are links to other scenes in the Youtube sidebar.

If you have Netflix, you can see the complete movie there.

I realized after watching this, that I have it pretty easy, even when rushed or harried. I'm not usually required to alter the entire
voice of the piano. No doubt some of you have experienced more "diva" pianists than I have.

Often times, as in the blog, we do not have the luxury of time to tune to our satisfaction, let alone touch up after the artist has "warmed up"
for 3 hours of Liszt, Bartok etc, right 'til the doors open, let alone install a new set of hammers for just this one recording session!
I just try to do my best, give 'em what they want, to the extent and time possible, and then get out of the way. A thank you is
nice to hear, but sometimes, I never meet the artist, except for some hastily scrawled notes on a piece of scrap paper: "Dear Mr. Piano Tuner...... and a list of issues to work on as well as tuning in 1 hour prior to rehearsal on a piano that was just deliver that morning sitting outdoors in the sun on an open stage, to be tuned a prepped for the evening's concert after sundown, and not time for a touch up for example!
 
I would say, that as time has gone on, more and more, I do see piano technician credits in the album booklets, so
this is welcome.

Sometimes things work out.

Perhaps Paul's post would have been published if there were more technical discussion, as to problems and solutions encountered
in the limited time frame he had or finds. I for one would find that very helpful. Some of this has been posted here, and in various
books on concert tuning and prep though.

Cheers all,

Richard

-------------------------------------------
Richard Adkins
Piano Technician
Coe College
Cedar Rapids IA
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 07-06-2013 21:55
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Paul Rattigan blog

Paul Rattigan, formerly at New England Conservatory and now at Harvard, has posted an article he wrote for the PT Journal to a blog (the Journal declined to publish it). It is available here He asked me to spread the word.

Topic is an experience prepping a piano for a recording, and the general lack of acknowledgement and recognition for such work.

-------------------------------------------
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm@unm.edu
http://fredsturm.net
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination." - Einstein
-------------------------------------------

Oh yeah! That's where the rubber meets the road.

Thanks for that link Richard, which quite nicely, led in turn to a piano performance video clip that just staggered me. Maybe some of you folks would enjoy experiencing the up and coming. (It's about 4:25 mins)

The Cat & The Mouse by Kate Lee from a Lang Lang Master Class in Hong Kong, August 10, 2011.

Keith McGavern, RPT
Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
tune-repair@allegiance.tv

Original Message:
Sent: 07-08-2013 11:33
From: Richard Adkins
... If you have not seen this video/movie "Pianomania", give it a look. I must say the concert tech in this video goes to
great lengths to satisfy these high caliber performers and recording artists. ...
 http://youtu.be/z2TX9KYIKpA

there are links to other scenes in the Youtube sidebar. ...