Perfect pianos

The feature-length documentary Note By Note: The Making Of Steinway L1037 will be playing at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck this weekend (January 26 – 28).

Here’s some more about the film from Upstate:

Filmed at the Steinway Factory in Queens, NY, the film documents the year-long creation of Steinway piano #L1037 from a 20 foot plank to a full size concert grand. Interviews with the workers document the different approaches each brings to his job. It is this craftsmanship that contributes to the subtle nuances of a Steinway instrument. Interviews with the rainbow coalition of workers are intercut with world-class musicians discussing what they look for in choosing a piano and what draws them to Steinway. Jazz legends Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, and Marcus Roberts, along with classical maestros Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Helene Grimaud, perform as well as discuss the relationship between an artist and his instrument, and Harry Connick Jr. stops by to let us know how he “likes his pianos to push back a little.” unrated. 80 mins..
Saturday Jan 26, 4:15 show and Sunday Jan 27, 12:45 pm show: Filmmaker Ben Niles in person

(US 2007, dir by Ben Niles)

If you admire the craftsmanship and elegance of Steinway pianos, you’ll want to check out the fabulous photographs we'll be featuring in the February-March issue of Hudson Valley Connoisseur (on sale very soon at local Barnes & Noble shops and other retailers listed here). Spencer Ainsley photographed a vintage Steinway for us last month at Vincitore’s Piano Center, which is located in Poughkeepsie close to our magazine’s offices.