Faust Harrison Pianos (April 24, 2025)
Today was a very pleasant day.
In the early part of the day, as usual, I took the bus to Mr. Buono’s apartment so I could have a lesson and practice. I worked on Chopin's Sonata No. 3 and Beethoven's 32 Variations. No matter how many times I take a lesson, there are always new discoveries to be made. I tried various ideas and playing techniques, and I like to think I have improved my understanding and playing of the pieces even more.
Later, my mother made rigatoni with eggplant and tomato sauce for lunch, which was wonderful. She is a great cook, and would always prefer to make too much than not enough.
I then went with her to Faust Harrison Pianos to see the place where I will be performing on May 9, 2025, which also gave me the chance to try out some of the many pianos they have on display there.
As it worked out, and by coincidence, Mr. Alexander also visited there to arrange some of the details of my concert, even though we did not know we would both be there at the same time.
Faust Harrison Pianos is a very sophisticated place, and I was excited to see so many wonderful pianos. Ryozo Shirakawa, a famous Japanese piano tuner who repairs old Steinways and is a specialist in importing and selling Steingraeber pianos, told me six years ago that "If you buy a piano in New York, buy only from Faust Harrison Pianos." It was as he said, and even more so.
On the stage where I will be performing there was a Bösendorfer, so I played it first. I wasn't sure if I would use it in the performance or not. I felt the keys are set somewhat deeper than those of a Steinway, so I spent some time checking what angle of my fingers on the keys and posture was the most effective. After that, I went to the mahogany Steinway that was shining at the very back. It was made in 1906! It is a beautiful piano with decorations that would not look out of place in a museum, and the sound made my heart skip a beat!
Today was another wonderful and fulfilling day. I said a prayer of deep gratitude before going to bed.
