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STAR LETTER wins a surprise CD. Letters may be edited.

STAR LETTER at floor level, a layer of hot air can be trapped at

floor level by a body of colder air sitting on top of
Slowly does it it – a mini version of an atmospheric phenomenon
Like Steven Osborne [cover interview, Pianist No 74] I have always found that the fastest way to learn known as a temperature inversion – and this
something is to play it slowly. I play a new piece or exercise through very slowly, then I take individual would keep the colder, more humid air above floor
bars, runs, etc. and work on that small portion of the work until I feel comfortable with it, trying to level. This is good for human comfort, but bad for
feel the depth of those few notes, listening to the beautiful sound of each individual note. the piano. If the room were heated in a way that
This started when I was living in Montreal and studying for my Grade 9 Toronto Conservatory exam. encouraged greater convection it might be possible
During a visit to a music school in New York, my piano teaacher found herself waiting in a corridor to maximise the humidity around the piano.
full of studios. Next to her sat a nine-year-old boy. From the studio opposite came the sounds of very
rudimentary exercises and simple bars being played very slowly. The boy said, ‘That must be some really Beethoven’s Seventh
little kid playing in there, ‘cos he can hardly play,’ and then boasted about his own prowess at the piano. Here’s a piece I wish you would feature for
Twenty minutes later the door opened and an elderly man with a head of grey-white hair slowly beginners: the theme from the Allegretto of
emerged – it was Arthur Rubinstein! The lad waited for ‘the student kid’ to emerge, but of course Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. Perchance you
there was none. It was a learning experience for the boy, my teacher and myself. could get Herr Heumann [Pianist’s Keyboard
For me, the ‘small is beautiful’ slogan has long been joined by ‘slow is beautiful’. Class writer] to do it – he remains one of the
Rosemary Emmett, Christchurch best teachers I’ve come across yet.
Alistair J Marshall, by email
Thank you for your thoughtful letter – an excellent reminder that the great players have always known
about the importance of workings slowly from the outset. A surprise CD will be sent to you. You will be delighted to hear that Hans-Günter
Heumann has made two arrangements of the
Allegretto for us: one for beginner level, the other
The peerless Les Dawson inside my piano. I have the piano tuned annually for intermediate level. We will be featuring them
I have been a firm fan of your magazine since but it probably needs more frequent attention, shortly, so watch this space!
discovering it way back at issue no 7. At last though not more than twice a year I think.
I have caught you! J’accuse! You are biased, Do you or any of your readers have an Searching for Witold Malcuzynski
partisan, you favour your favourites! To wit,you opinion on this? When I was 13 years old and a pupil in a
have featured jolly Jools Holland twice on the Graham Davidson, Aboyne secondary school in Slough, the Head of Music
cover (the man is mustard!), yet over the years arranged a series of monthly recitals, including
never a mention of, for my money, one of We asked Keith Owen, a member of the Piano one by a brilliant virtuoso pianist from Poland,
the giants. I refer of course to the peerless Les Tuners’ Association, to respond: In simple terms, Witold Malcuzynski. Two things stand out in
Dawson. Why the glaring omission? Liberace, piano climate control systems consist of a heater my mind from his performance. First, the stool
Victor Borge, Dudley Moore, all classic acts and a reservoir of water. A switch attached to a that he was going to sit on was not to his liking
have been mentioned; you are remiss in not humidity-measuring device operates either the and he pushed it away into the wings. Another
featuring the incomparable Les. What unique heater if the humidity is high or gently evaporates stool was found for him. Then, he sat down
interpretations! Mere words cannot do him water from the reservoir if the humidity is low. The and played Chopin’s Etudes and Ballades, and
justice. Seriously though, keep up the good work. relative humidity around the immediate vicinity finished with Chopin’s Sonata. His tone and
Keith Park, Woolwich of the soundboard is thus maintained at a stable expression were amazing, and this was my first
55 per cent and pitch fluctuations due to seasonal introduction to the art of playing Chopin.
English comedian, writer and pianist Les Dawson soundboard swelling and shrinkage are minimised. I know very little about him and would like to
(1931-1993) was indeed unique and was much The system is typically mounted on the underside know more as he had a great influence on my life.
loved by British TV viewers. Should we decide to of a grand piano or behind the bottom panel of an Leslie Wood, Cardiff
do another article like the mavericks article in issue upright; the effect should be localised to the piano
73, we’ll be sure to include him! irrespective of the conditions in the rest of the room. Our CD reviewer Marius Dawn tells us that
Properly mounted and maintained there should be Warner Classics has just released an 8-CD box set
Humidifier or not? no problem with the components containing water. (Warner Classics 0192442) on Witold Malcuzynski,
I have an Estonia Studio Grand piano that sits Graham doesn’t mention how the room is heated. who was born in Poland in 1914 and died in Spain
in my front room, which is quite a large room If it has underfloor heating, then he should turn it in 1977. There is also a book, Great Concert Artists:
with a cathedral ceiling. Because it’s such a large off under the piano if possible or put the piano on Malcuzynski by Roger Hauert and Bernard Gavoty.
room it is difficult to control the humidity. The special mat (consult your tuner) to help insulate it It’s out of print, but can be found second hand.
summer months are fine – the hygrometer beside from the hot dry air. Is the pitch of the instrument
the piano reads between 45 and 55 without being affected? A pitch swing no more than 10 cents ‘Yesterday’ – a song full of surprises
artificial help. But in winter the humidity can on a newish piano isn’t really anything to worry Nigel Scaife, Syllabus Director at the ABRSM,
drop below 40, perhaps as low as 35. about. Regular tunings are a must; twice a year read Elaine Gourlay’s star letter on Yesterday
I have a standard floor-standing humidifier should be regarded as a minimum. inside the last issue with interest. Yesterday is in
that doesn’t seem to help much and I wonder He may also wish to consult a heating specialist a major key, even if it has a sad-sounding minor
if one of the alternative ‘installed’ humidifiers to analyse the air in this room during the heating key feel to it. Scaife makes another observation
would be better, though I have to say I’m season. I claim no expertise, but I seem to about the song: the tune is seven bars long! Now
reluctant to have water pipes running around remember that in rooms with high ceilings heated that’s also unusual.
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