[Piano 01] • Piano

[Piano 01] • Piano
Authors
Barron, James
Publisher
Times Books
Tags
music , history , biography
ISBN
9780805078787
Date
2006-07-25T07:00:00+00:00
Size
2.63 MB
Lang
en
Downloaded: 7 times

An alluring exploration of the people and the legendary craftsmanship behind a single Steinway piano

Like no other instrument, a grand piano melds engineering feats with the magical sounds of great the thunder of a full-throated bass, the bright, delicate trill of the upper treble. Alone among the big piano companies, Steinway still crafts all of its pianos largely by hand, imbuing each one with the promise and burden of its brand.

In this captivating narrative, James Barron of The New York Times tells the story of one Steinway piano, from raw lumber to finished instrument. Barron follows that brand-new piano--known by its number, K0862--on its eleven-month journey through the Steinway factory, where time-honored manufacturing methods vie with modern-day industrial efficiency. He looks over the shoulders of men and women--some second- and third-generation employees, some recently arrived immigrants--who transform wood and steel into a concert grand. Together, they carry on the traditions begun more than 150 years ago by the immigrants who founded Steinway Sons--a family that soared to prominence in the music world and, for a while, in New York City's political and economic life. Barron also explores the art and science of developing a piano's timbre and character before its first performance, when the essential question will be Does K0862 live up to the Steinway legend?

From start to finish, Piano will charm and enlighten music lovers.