THE WEIMAR PIANO ~

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26512, 29 August 1951, Page 9

THE WEIMAR PIANO ~

Sir,—Last Saturday night the citys new grand piano, momentarily unsealed and released from incarceration, underwent a further exposure on the concert platform. Unfortunately, it must now be admitted that this instrument, apart altogether from any question of stiffness, is et present seriously deficient, both in resonance and in volume. The ability of the recitalist on this occasion, Mr Fernando LaireS, yielded, I thought, to none i" any respect. But his efforts to strike 6 re from such an imposipg-looking ut inert piano merely drew sympathy from the audience and perspiration from himself. In fapt, I remember thinking at the time that had Franz Liszt been required to play his own Mephisto Waltz on our Weimar grand piano he would have offered the audience their money back after striking the first two bars. In general, the instrument gives the impression of being somewhere fitted with a silencer.— Yours, etc., ; Vi-;. R,G. August 27, 1931.

Sir,—l rejoice to read that the musicians of Christchurch have come to the conclusion that Miss Menuhin, in adversity criticising our piano, actually referred to the Wellington instrument. It 1$ gratifying to learn that the honour of our piano has been vindicated. However, one is appalled at the ignorance of the geography of "God’s own Country” shown by the visitor in confusing a city on the mainland with a city in the North Island. Such ignorance could well cause internal strife of a serious nature. Civil war and the "battle of the pianos” could break out at any time. To avoid any further complications, it seems necessary to call in some high authority to give a final ruling on the matter, and I suggest you send for “Whim Wham” Immediately.—Yours, etc., M.D. August 28, 1951.