The quintessential piano sound

For decades I’ve been searching for the sound of the first note I ever played on a piano … the sound which transfixed me as a small child, which I’ve never forgotten … a single note which produced a wonderfully vibrant ringing sound, born of a child’s curiosity and most likely played with complete physical freedom.

It was several years before it was possible me to begin piano lessons, by which time all kinds of conditions and anxieties about “doing it right” had set in, which meant that I wasn’t able to play and explore with the freedom which a child ideally should be able to experience. With old-fashioned formal lessons, based on reading notation and playing technical exercises, I was only learning as a “reader”, never an ear-player or an improviser. Although I still loved playing, tension became entrenched from an early age.

A few years ago I had the unexpected opportunity to replace the piano I’d had since I was a student, but which was sadly past its best, with a 2-year old Bösendorfer 170 grand. This was an instrument I wouldn’t have expected to own in my wildest dreams, so I felt incredibly fortunate to have it selected for me by Dan Rusling at Coach House Pianos.

In gradually getting to know and love this beautiful piano I realised that, because I could trust it to do what I asked of it, my playing was gradually becoming more relaxed and bit by bit that wonderful vibrant sound that I remember from early childhood was emerging.

Alongside this a new sense of playfulness was also developing as old anxieties were slowly melting away. In an exciting new dialogue, I listen to my piano, and my piano listens to me.

Worth waiting a lifetime for.