There is a new book out about pianos titled, A Natural History of the Piano”.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-History-P ... 709&sr=8-1

I just read a review of it in the Wall Street Journal today and learned of a nice story about Beethoven.

This is the excerpt from the book:

In 1804, the pianist Dorothea Ertmann, who had studied Beethoven’s works with the composer, lost her young son. Mrs. Ertmann was so stricken that for weeks she was unable to weep. Hearing of her grief, Beethoven invited her to his house to offer his condolences, though he said not a word. He played for more than an hour until Ertmann began to sob. When she told the story years later to Felix Mendelssohn, she said that Beethoven’s playing “told me everything, and at last brought me comfort.”


Isn’t that nice? Talk about the power of music!!
I think Beethoven was not as mean and gruff as many people portray him to be.

Thank you, Monica, for sharing this great anecdote. It further inspires our understanding and knowledge of Beethoven. I am in awe that his power still resonates to this day!

I believe that during such moments in life, words can neither be heard by the suffering, nor can they be fully consoling in the thick of despair. Beethoven's musical archetype spans the nobility of the human spirit to the depths of tragic loss through his language of music. It continues beyond where words fall short. Life is full of contrasts: a seemingly angry man, capable of understanding the human condition at such a deep and sensitive level that would seem impervious to most knowledgeable. I think it's a view shared by many who knew him, they would argue that they could live with the 'gruff' of the man anytime, just to witness the presence of the music. Can there be a greater cause in harnessing the power of music than to ameliorate the human condition or knowing it's deepest meaning?... That is why one cannot go too long without playing a Beethoven Sonata - I think the soul senses an urgency.

How true that only music seems to penetrate the soul during difficult times. I remember for my Dad's 40th Day Ascension Memorial, there were hardly any words spoken. I ran slide show of his life and synchronized it with music - Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Sinding, Sinatra, and Boccelli. More tears where shed during the music than all the words spoken at the wake.

What a great discovery, Monica. I'd love to read this book!

George

Me too - I ordered it yesterday.

And your words are really lovely, George. Thank you for sharing them.

Hi Monica,

Thanks for recommending The Natural History of the Piano. I'll have to look into it.

I especially love books on piano performance (I own many of them). Anyway, one that had been out of print has recently been reprinted by Dover. It is Notes on the Piano by an American, Ernst Bacon (1898-1990), available from Amazon for about $11.00. I got it last week and finished reading it and thought it was quite good. It's not the best one I've ever read, but I'd give it a B+. Just thought I'd mention it here.

David

Hi David,

Thank you also for the book recommendation!

Regarding A Natural History of the Piano: I just started reading it yesterday, so I'm not very far into it. But so far, so good! There are nice photos and so many interesting tidbits already; I want to share some of them here but I don't know where to start. One thing - I've learned there were many more versions of the early piano (before Cristofori) than I had realized. Also, I have to listen to some Oscar Peterson!!