"Note By Note-The Making of Steinway L1037"

[Ralph]

The wonderful Jacob Burns Film Center began a two-week festival of film devoted to classical music on Friday. On Sunday evening I saw "Note By Note-The Making of Steinway L1037," a warm eighty-one minute documentary that follows lumber from Alaska to Steinway's Astoria factory where it is transformed, over a year, into a concert grand.

Well known pianists, including the very talented Helene Grimaud and the exuberant Lang Lang, along with jazz artists, illuminate the story but the real stars are the workers at the factory, many of whom describe not only their function but radiate real joy at creating beautiful instruments.

The company produces about 2,000 pianos a year, much less than competitors who rely on modernized production techniques. Virtually every step in creating a Steinway is by human hands and many of the company's workers have been at it for decades.

The Steinway employees are a virtual United Nations, hailing from many countries with a strong core of folks raised right in the plant's Astoria, Queens neighborhood. They love what they do and it really comes across.

This is a fascinating documentary which I hope will enjoy wide currency. Any piano lover, indeed any music lover, will enjoy this visit to the premier piano manufacturer of America.

[anasazi]

Only 81 minutes long? (not 88?) Seems they mised the last seven notes.

Heck, I can only dream about a Steinway, but I am glad they make them.

[IcedNote]

Thanks for the heads-up! I added it to my Netflix Queue.

As for pianos, I actually just bought a used Story & Clark. It's in really good shape (all new keys), and, most importantly, I only paid $400 for it! It'll be a dream to have a real piano in my house to compose on (I always write at the piano, regardless of instrumentation), and since I mostly write piano music...well...you get the idea.

-G

[Lance]

I wonder if this documentary will be on DVD.

[Ralph]

I wonder if this documentary will be on DVD.

*****

Certainly. It won't be in any mainstream theaters. These documentaries basically are seen through DVDs.

[Auntie Lynn]

It played here for a long time last year, and got absolute rave reviews, but because of The Job schedule, I could not make it...also waiting for the DVD, but I have ALL the good Steinway books...one of them was sent to me by les freres/fils Steinway themselves...

One of the pictures shows the Steinways and the FAO Schwarz'es partying together - they were neighbors...probably perfect for each other.

Thanksabunch!

[Lance]

I just checked Amazon ... couldn't find the DVD there. Any idea where to get this?

[slofstra]

I just checked Amazon ... couldn't find the DVD there. Any idea where to get this?

From what I can glean from imdb.com, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1149400/, it's not available on DVD quite yet. It does usually take a while after initial release.

Check this out, very impressive. If you click on 'Characters' you can go through the entire manufacturing process.
http://www.notebynotethemovie.com/

A little more info here:
http://www.argotpictures.com/note_by_note.html

But apparently, you can buy the DVD here:
http://www.neoflix.com/store/Plo08/

Upcoming showings:
Upcoming Screenings

October 10-16, 2008
Jacob Burns Film Center - Pleasantville, NY

October 26 & 29, 2008
Sound Unseen Festival - Minneapolis, MN

November 13, 2008
Cinema Arts Centre - Huntington, NY

[Ralph]

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzRNezptNyQ

[Lance]

I checked it out. It's very interesting to hear Burns's comments on the making of his film. I would have missed this one, Ralph, if you hadn't pointed it out.

Check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzRNezptNyQ

[Lance]

Thank you, Henry. It looks like the cost of the DVD is $24.95 for home use only ($295.00 for an educational institution!). Obviously, this is a product any piano lover will enjoy having and certainly for piano technicians and those more seriously interested in especially Steinway pianos, will want to have this. Seems to me this would make a superb Christmas or holiday gift!

I just checked Amazon ... couldn't find the DVD there. Any idea where to get this?

From what I can glean from imdb.com, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1149400/, it's not available on DVD quite yet. It does usually take a while after initial release.

Check this out, very impressive. If you click on 'Characters' you can go through the entire manufacturing process.
http://www.notebynotethemovie.com/

A little more info here:
http://www.argotpictures.com/note_by_note.html

But apparently, you can buy the DVD here:
http://www.neoflix.com/store/Plo08/

Upcoming showings:
Upcoming Screenings

October 10-16, 2008
Jacob Burns Film Center - Pleasantville, NY

October 26 & 29, 2008
Sound Unseen Festival - Minneapolis, MN

November 13, 2008
Cinema Arts Centre - Huntington, NY

[PJME]

Hi Lance, this post reminds me of a DVD I sent you ( admittedly, with some technical flaws...) about mr.Maene and the reconstruction of the 1836 Steinweg/Steinway....Were you able to play it ? I have no idea if the European DVD recording system is compatible with the US one.




Peter

[aurora]

the movie's website is very nice. It reminded me of the website for "Music from the Inside Out", the documentary on the Philadelphia Orchestra. I saw this one at a local film festival, then bought the DVD & I love it.

[slofstra]

the movie's website is very nice. It reminded me of the website for "Music from the Inside Out", the documentary on the Philadelphia Orchestra. I saw this one at a local film festival, then bought the DVD & I love it.

Even the trailer is quite good. Thanks for bring this to our/my attention. I see amazon has it as well.