In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we welcome Tiffany Poon, a renowned classical pianist born in Hong Kong in 1996 and currently based in New York City. Tiffany shares her extraordinary journey from moving to New York at nine years old to join Juilliard's prestigious pre-college division on a full scholarship, studying under Yo Kalinsky. Her education continued at Columbia University in a joint program with Juilliard, where she was mentored by eminent pianists Emmanuel Ax and Joseph Ekste...
Nov 25, 2024•59 min•Ep. 202
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour , Heather Fandrich provides an in-depth exploration of the Fandrich Vertical Action, highlighting its innovations in reliability and responsiveness compared to traditional upright actions. She explains the Fandrich-Rhodes method of weighing off actions, a technique highly regarded across the piano industry for its effectiveness. Heather brings these technical aspects to life with engaging stories and visual examples, making complex concepts accessible and...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 81
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we are pleased to introduce Eric Clark and Hannah Reimann, two highly acclaimed pianists renowned for their masterful interpretations of various classical composers, including Stravinsky, Liszt, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky. Eric and Hannah share insights into their musical journeys, offering a comprehensive look at their paths to establishing their musical voices. Eric Clark discusses his musical journey from his teenag...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 201
In Episode 80 of Piano Tech Radio Hour , host Eathan Janney takes us on a captivating journey into the Peruvian Presidential Palace, where two exceptional pianos—a Steinway and a historic Pleyel—await discovery. Building on the stories shared in previous episodes, this exploration highlights the unique craftsmanship, cultural significance, and preservation of these remarkable instruments within a historical setting. Eathan’s deep dive into these pianos includes a visually rich exploration of eac...
Nov 06, 2024•57 min•Ep. 80
In this milestone episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we delve into the extraordinary world of Swedish pianist Henrik Kilhamn. Based in Gothenburg, Henrik is a concert pianist, chamber musician, and accompanist with an impressive career that includes solo recitals and collaborations with renowned ensembles such as the Gothenburg Opera House Orchestra, Symphony Choir, and Vocal Ensemble. Henrik's musical journey began at the age of six with the Suzuki method. Guided by his mentor Enrique Graf, he t...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 200
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour , host Eathan Janney continues the exciting journey through Peru, following up on the adventures from Episodes 76 and 77. This time, Eathan recounts his experiences in the vibrant city of Lima, uncovering rare and historical pianos in surprising locations. Eathan shares the story of a remarkable discovery—an 1875 Erard piano, tucked away in a bookstore in Lima. This piano, once a diplomatic gift from a Chilean ambassador, offers a fascinating look into an...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 79
In this unique episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour , we’re thrilled to sit down with Ric Overton, a true veteran of the piano world, whose career spans decades of expertise and hands-on work. Ric brings his unique perspective on the craft of piano technology, blending stories of personal experiences with insights into how the industry has transformed over time. From his humble beginnings in piano tuning to becoming a go-to expert for complex restorations, Ric’s journey is filled with dedication, le...
Oct 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 78
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we had the pleasure of hosting the incredibly talented pianist, humorist, and composer Loren DiGiorgi. Loren's journey began at a very young age, and he has immersed himself in the world of classical music, creating and producing hundreds of songs in various styles. His unique talent for entertaining friends with musical antics, such as playing songs in reverse or blending melodies, has turned into a social media phenomenon with hundreds of thousands of ...
Oct 11, 2024•56 min•Ep. 199
In Episode 198 of the "Piano Tech Radio Hour," we welcome Jonathan Taylor, a renowned classical guitarist whose career spans the globe. His innovative transcriptions and digital recordings have significantly impacted the classical guitar repertoire, making him a prominent figure in the music world. Taylor's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his grandmother, a silent film organist. He shares how his early passion for music led him to the guitar and how his dedication and rigorous ...
Oct 04, 2024•55 min•Ep. 198
In Episode 77 of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we continue our deep dive into the art of piano restoration in remote environments, focusing once again on the breathtaking Peruvian Andes. This episode features an in-depth conversation with piano technician Jonathan Cleghorn, who shares the next chapter of his journey restoring an antique Chickering piano at a Baptist seminary in Peru. Jonathan revisits his ambitious project, revealing the technical complexities and cultural insights gained from working ...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 77
In Episode 76 of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we engage in a dynamic group discussion featuring some fine technicians in the PTRH community, including Jonathan Cleghorn as our featured guest. Additionally, hear insightful contributions from other astute technicians like Jon Ross, Phil Bondi, Robert Wilson, Nancy Salmon, and Diane Hofstetter. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and rewards of piano restoration in remote and diverse environments, with a special focus on the Peruvian Andes. The c...
Sep 30, 2024•57 min•Ep. 76
In Episode 197 of PTRH, we feature Steve Sandberg, an acclaimed pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to music and piano technology. The episode also includes updates from Hannah Reimann on the Fourth Annual International Stretto Piano Festival. Hannah begins with exciting news about the festival, highlighting the diverse lineup of live concerts and events scheduled for June 2024. She emphasizes the grand event on June 4th, set in a prestigious 760-seat hall, which promises to b...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 197
In this podcast episode, we are joined by the talented Kristhyan Benitez, a Venezuelan classical pianist and 2021 Latin Grammy winner for Best Classical Album. He discusses his musical journey that started at age four when he chose the piano over the guitar and fell in love with its sound. Kristhyan has performed on prestigious stages worldwide and is recognized as a Steinway artist. His multicultural background influences his music, incorporating traditional Latin American elements into his cla...
Jun 07, 2024•29 min•Ep. 196
In this podcast episode, we're introduced to Noah Frere, a unique individual who is at once a piano technician, astrophysicist and astrologer. He began his journey in piano tech at the Randy Potter School of Piano Technology in 2006 and has worked with pianos across New York before moving to Tennessee where he pursued a master's degree in physics. We are blessed to explore some of Noah’s own astrophotography, and he explains how various software tools are used to enhance images of celestial bodi...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 195
In this podcast episode, PTRH host Eathan Janney discusses various aspects of piano evaluations and appraisals, with a focus on templates and procedures. We emphasize the importance of precision and professional training when providing formal assessments but also touch on how informal evaluations can benefit clients. As an example we highlight the recent evaluation of an Estonia Grand Piano, detailing that process which included photographing every aspect of the instrument and rating its compone...
May 29, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 75
In this podcast episode, we are joined by Mark Cerisano, a seasoned piano tuner and educator who’s making significant contributions to the field of piano technology. He is known for creating the Go Ape System for accurate and efficient piano tuning and has shared his expertise globally through publications and teaching at the International Piano Technician School (IPTS). Mark's background includes engineering, teaching music in high school, being a professional musician, authoring four books on ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 194
In this podcast episode, we explore the captivating world of piano restoration with a focus on Chris Brown’s recent project involving an 1889 Steinway D. This historic piano underwent significant transformations including new soundboards and modernized parts while retaining its legacy. Chris delves into the technical aspects of regulation, discussing the challenges of integrating contemporary components with historical dimensions. He emphasizes the importance of meticulous measurements and adjus...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 74
Gain insights into Jim's experiences with music icons and the lessons he's learned along the way. Beyond rubbing shoulders with legends, he learned valuable lessons from them about music and life. Explore how musical trends and tech advancements shape piano performance and recording. Jim was at the forefront of groundbreaking midi technology. Understand the importance of nurturing young talent and how it influenced Jim's journey. You won’t believe how far music can take you. Discover the fascina...
Apr 06, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 193
Tune in to hear the maestro David Amram sharing unheard stories from his encounters with pianos and pianists across the globe, alongside recent collaborations with other PTRH community members. Explore the inspirations behind his most celebrated piano compositions. This session is a rare opportunity to hear directly from a composer who has not only created an incredible body of work but has lived through some of the most pivotal moments in musical history. Whether you're a lifelong fan, a music ...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 192
In today's episode, we started with touching tributes to Tanya Ragir and Joe Patrych, honoring their legacies in our community. Additionally, Donna shared about the legacy of Joe Patrych, a cherished member of the New York piano community whose unexpected departure in December deeply affected so many. Donna Weng, moved by Joe's passing, shared heartfelt reflections on his life and contributions. Joe's presence in the Greater New York piano community was profound. He left behind a legacy of excel...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 191
In this group discussion, Eathan talks about the annual PTM convention and the release of a lecture by David Stanwood who delivers a lecture about piano touch and tone. It’s a really interesting lecture and one key takeaway was about wool and its role in the sound of the piano. The properties of wool are really special for the creation of piano hammers and the tone we want to get out of them. The lecture also touches on some important themes like voicing, components and the hammer - strike point...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 73
In this episode we have Isaac sharing two pivotal moments in his journey, illustrating his evolution from a musician to a piano technician. One significant moment occurred during college when he embarked on the challenge of rebuilding Fender Rhodes pianos, relying solely on online tutorials. Despite lacking an engineering background, his musical discipline and focus propelled him into the world of keyboard technology. Isaac recounted his challenging yet rewarding experience applying for a positi...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 190
In this episode, we have Sally Phillips and Leo Holder. Sally talks about the amount of regulation a new piano needs. All the work that needs to be done to a piano before delivery will save you money in after-market servicing and enable you to get the trust of a dealer. Sally walks us through her checklist of things we need to do to get the after-delivery servicing costs down. The same works for newly rebuilt pianos as well. Sally says “New pianos are kind of an enigma”, and the first thing you ...
Mar 20, 2024•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 71
In today’s session, we give you a teaser of all that has been happening with the PTM Annual Convention by showing you sections of our most interesting sessions to give you a flavor of all that has been brewing and all that is to come. Starting with William Manroe who showed us how to turn a 100-year-old piano into a work of art, in a step-by-step detail-oriented fashion. William starts by taking a picture for posterity and then begins his process by taking the pieces apart. Next, we have Chris B...
Mar 15, 2024•55 min•Ep. 70
In today’s episode, Eathan talks about the PTM Convention and some of the instructors like Carl Lieberman give us a preview of their lecture at the convention. Carl’s lecture will be on cyber tuner, its AI feature, and why we should all care about it. Cybertuner also makes Pure12th tuning and Carl shares his take on it. ‘Pure’ might sometimes seem unachievable but Carl suggests that the 12th should be close to pure to preserve other intervals. In this episode, we also take on questions from the ...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 69
In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting a pre-recorded session featuring the remarkable Claudio Constantini, a globally renowned multi-instrumentalist celebrated for his extraordinary talents as both a pianist and a bandoneonist. Claudio shared his fascinating journey from his upbringing in Peru, surrounded by a family deeply rooted in music, to discovering his passion for piano during his teenage years. His transition to becoming a bandoneonist, sparked by serendipity while living in R...
Mar 01, 2024•57 min•Ep. 189
In today’s episode, Eathan shares his experience of attending the memorial service of the late David Anderson, who used to be a co-host on this show, an amazing musician and an even better human being. Community members join in the conversion and each share a few thoughts about David, his unmatched energy, and incredible acumen as a piano tech. We touch upon lesser-known facets of David’s rich life, exploring his legacy as a rock musician as well as a passionate writer. In addition to writing so...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 68
Get ready for a fun PTRH session this Saturday as we bring you an exclusive conversation with two distinguished figures in the world of pianos: Hannah Reimann from Stretto Pianos and Fanny Steingraeber from Steingraeber & Sohne, the renowned high-end piano manufacturer in Bayreuth, Germany. This special pre-recorded session has been meticulously curated to accommodate busy international schedules, ensuring you don't miss out on this rare opportunity. Join us as Fanny Steingraeber discusses t...
Feb 26, 2024•55 min•Ep. 188
Donna Byrd and Susan Kline, two guests with the most insider information make it to today’s episode. Donna, a North Bennet Street School student and a consistent guest on Pinao Tech Radio Hour, has some fascinating stories to share. Alongside her is Suzan, a George Brown College of Toronto graduate, and a long-term piano technician. Donna shares her journey to being a piano tuner, her experiences in a male-dominated profession, and some tales of her residency. Building on this conversation, Susa...
Feb 21, 2024•57 min•Ep. 67
Dive into the harmonious echoes of our PTRH community in this episode, where the vibrant voices of participants weave together a tapestry of insights and shared experiences. From the lively discussions on piano tuning to navigating the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, our community came together for an enriching session that embraced the diversity of thoughts and perspectives. What a dedicated community! In this episode, we recognize Calvin from Malaysia, a dedicated member who shares hi...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 66
