ART FILMS and Metropolitan, La Scala, Note by Note

May 17th, 2008

Note by Note
In our age of mass-production and consumption, what is the role of the musician--both an instrument’s craftsman and its player? Musically, what have we gained? More importantly, what are we losing? The most thoroughly handcrafted instruments in the world, Steinway pianos, are as unique and full of personality as the world-class musicians who play them. However, their makers are a dying breed: skilled cabinetmakers, gifted tuners, thorough hand-crafters. The creation of a Steinway concert grand, #L1037--from forest floor to concert hall--is followed and explored is the relationship between musician and instrument, the manufacturing process, and what makes each Steinway unique in this age of mass production. From the factory floor in Queens to Steinway Hall in Manhattan, each piano’s journey is complex--spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor.

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NOTE BY NOTE Reviews:

Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 follows the painstaking yearlong process of building and fine-tuning a handmade nine-foot concert grand piano.

Stephen Holden
New York Times

A fascinating documentary that more than just piano lovers can enjoy.

Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter