Piano Tech Radio Hour

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, host Ethan Janney welcomes concert pianist, composer, and educator Alexander Schwarzkopf.

The conversation traces Alexander’s remarkable career path, from his early public performances at age eight, to becoming a scholarship student at Colorado College by age twelve, and competing internationally. His doctoral research on Falco Steinbach’s Figures 17 Choreographic Etudes for...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour,  host Eathan Janney welcomes Dr. Molly Gebrian, a professional violist, educator, and neuroscientist who merges music performance with cognitive science. As they gather over the July 4th weekend, they explore how musicians can transform their practice using brain-based strategies.

She shares her journey from early childhood lessons on the violin to a deep commitment to the viola...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we welcome Tiffany Poon, a renowned classical pianist born in Hong Kong in 1996 and currently based in New York City. Tiffany shares her extraordinary journey from moving to New York at nine years old to join Juilliard's prestigious pre-college division on a full scholarship, studying under Yo Kalinsky. Her education continued at Columbia University in a joint program with Juilliar...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, Heather Fandrich provides an in-depth exploration of the Fandrich Vertical Action, highlighting its innovations in reliability and responsiveness compared to traditional upright actions. She explains the Fandrich-Rhodes method of weighing off actions, a technique highly regarded across the piano industry for its effectiveness. Heather brings these technical aspects to life with eng...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we are pleased to introduce Eric Clark and Hannah Reimann, two highly acclaimed pianists renowned for their masterful interpretations of various classical composers, including Stravinsky, Liszt, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, Grieg, and Tchaikovsky. Eric and Hannah share insights into their musical journeys, offering a comprehensive look at their paths to establishing thei...

In Episode 80 of Piano Tech Radio Hour, host Eathan Janney takes us on a captivating journey into the Peruvian Presidential Palace, where two exceptional pianos—a Steinway and a historic Pleyel—await discovery. Building on the stories shared in previous episodes, this exploration highlights the unique craftsmanship, cultural significance, and preservation of these remarkable instruments within a historical setting.

Eathan’s...

In this milestone episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we delve into the extraordinary world of Swedish pianist Henrik Kilhamn. Based in Gothenburg, Henrik is a concert pianist, chamber musician, and accompanist with an impressive career that includes solo recitals and collaborations with renowned ensembles such as the Gothenburg Opera House Orchestra, Symphony Choir, and Vocal Ensemble.

Henrik's musical journey began at the a...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, host Eathan Janney continues the exciting journey through Peru, following up on the adventures from Episodes 76 and 77. This time, Eathan recounts his experiences in the vibrant city of Lima, uncovering rare and historical pianos in surprising locations. 

Eathan shares the story of a remarkable discovery—an 1875 Erard piano, tucked away in a bookstore in Lima. This piano, once a dip...

In this unique episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we’re thrilled to sit down with Ric Overton, a true veteran of the piano world, whose career spans decades of expertise and hands-on work. Ric brings his unique perspective on the craft of piano technology, blending stories of personal experiences with insights into how the industry has transformed over time.

From his humble beginnings in piano tuning to becoming a go-to ...

In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we had the pleasure of hosting the incredibly talented pianist, humorist, and composer Loren DiGiorgi. Loren's journey began at a very young age, and he has immersed himself in the world of classical music, creating and producing hundreds of songs in various styles. His unique talent for entertaining friends with musical antics, such as playing songs in reverse or blending melodies...

In Episode 198 of the "Piano Tech Radio Hour," we welcome Jonathan Taylor, a renowned classical guitarist whose career spans the globe. His innovative transcriptions and digital recordings have significantly impacted the classical guitar repertoire, making him a prominent figure in the music world.

Taylor's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his grandmother, a silent film organist. He shares how his early pas...

In Episode 77 of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we continue our deep dive into the art of piano restoration in remote environments, focusing once again on the breathtaking Peruvian Andes. This episode features an in-depth conversation with piano technician Jonathan Cleghorn, who shares the next chapter of his journey restoring an antique Chickering piano at a Baptist seminary in Peru.

Jonathan revisits his ambitious project, reveal...

In Episode 76 of Piano Tech Radio Hour, we engage in a dynamic group discussion featuring some fine technicians in the PTRH community, including Jonathan Cleghorn as our featured guest. Additionally, hear insightful contributions from other astute technicians like Jon Ross, Phil Bondi, Robert Wilson, Nancy Salmon, and Diane Hofstetter. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and rewards of piano restoration in remote a...

In Episode 197 of PTRH, we feature Steve Sandberg, an acclaimed pianist and composer known for his innovative approach to music and piano technology. The episode also includes updates from Hannah Reimann on the Fourth Annual International Stretto Piano Festival. 

Hannah begins with exciting news about the festival, highlighting the diverse lineup of live concerts and events scheduled for June 2024. She emphasizes the grand ...

In this podcast episode, we are joined by the talented Kristhyan Benitez, a Venezuelan classical pianist and 2021 Latin Grammy winner for Best Classical Album. He discusses his musical journey that started at age four when he chose the piano over the guitar and fell in love with its sound.

Kristhyan has performed on prestigious stages worldwide and is recognized as a Steinway artist. His multicultural background influences ...

In this podcast episode, we're introduced to Noah Frere, a unique individual who is at once a piano technician, astrophysicist and astrologer. He began his journey in piano tech at the Randy Potter School of Piano Technology in 2006 and has worked with pianos across New York before moving to Tennessee where he pursued a master's degree in physics.

We are blessed to explore some of Noah’s own astrophotography, and he explain...

In this podcast episode, PTRH host Eathan Janney discusses various aspects of piano evaluations and appraisals, with a focus on templates and procedures. We emphasize the importance of precision and professional training when providing formal assessments but also touch on how informal evaluations can benefit clients.

As an example we highlight the recent evaluation of an Estonia Grand Piano, detailing that process which inc...

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Mark Cerisano, a seasoned piano tuner and educator who’s making significant contributions to the field of piano technology. He is known for creating the Go Ape System for accurate and efficient piano tuning and has shared his expertise globally through publications and teaching at the International Piano Technician School (IPTS).

Mark's background includes engineering, teaching musi...

In this podcast episode, we explore the captivating world of piano restoration with a focus on Chris Brown’s recent project involving an 1889 Steinway D. This historic piano underwent significant transformations including new soundboards and modernized parts while retaining its legacy.

Chris delves into the technical aspects of regulation, discussing the challenges of integrating contemporary components with historical dime...