One of the good things about the internet is the ability to communicate and to transfer information. The use of fora and blogs is mute testimony to this. The problem is, however, quality rather than quantity of information. Most fora I scan have a depressingly low signal-to-noise ratio (or maybe I should call it quality-to-FUD ratio) and the really good quality and useful information tends to get lost in a sea of something dark, murky and somewhat smelly.
Take this quite reasonable question from one such source:
“Why is it that the overall piano industry seems to move forward with innovation at a seemingly glacial snail’s pace?” (I’ve ‘corrected’ the grammar and spelling to protect the innocent, and I’m also bemused by the concept of a glacial snail – it must be well insulated).
The first response (of which I’m quoting part) was full of misinformation and displayed an alarming lack of knowledge on the part of the poster:
“Acoustic pianos are a 19th century/early 20th century product. The bulk of music written for the piano was written during that time. Pianos were fully developed instruments by the beginning of the 20th century. Everything that has happened since then has been a refinement, rather than a major change.”
Not only that, but others who should have known better but were obviously keen to make their mark agreed with this.
“I think XXXXX's answer to this summed it up perfectly.”
“As usual, XXXXX, you nailed it.”
“Right On, XXXXX!!
“XXXXX surely hit the nail on the head.”
Did he now? Let’s just say that if he were a carpenter there’s no way I’d let him anywhere near my house. His argument is very easily debunked.
There has been a huge amount of piano music written
after the 19th/early 20th century. The real issue is that up to this point in time the piano hasn't really changed since that time despite the massive changes in style and sonority of the music written to this date. Innovation does exist - and the Stuart & Sons piano is a perfect example of what innovation can achieve in an industry where I do agree real innovation has been lacking for well over a century. It is ridiculous that 21st century piano music is being written for a piano designed in the 19th century. Innovation in this case does not mean materials such as carbon fiber or teflon but a complete reappraisal of all aspects of piano design. Stuart pianos are totally conventional in terms of materials used.
One of the attractions of the Stuart piano is just that – compared to all other ‘Steinway-based’ pianos in the market place it is a fully innovative piano where a number of significant advances and changes in design come together to produce a piano that is totally different to any other and is the only piano I have played which is, in the hands of a skilled musician, fully adaptable to
any kind of music. Its just a pity that many people seem to so tied up with the 19th century ethos of most pianos that they are unable to see further than the end of their ears.
Not a pretty sight…