The great composer-pianist made two recordings of this work in his lifetime and it is the second that has always received the most attention, given the great leaps in recording technology that happened in a few short years between 1924 and 1929. The limitations of tape technology meant recording all of the first movement proved difficult initially as the orchestra and pianist huddled around one of those early recording bells. Nonetheless this is a fascinating document of hist

In the first of a series of posts decoding the differences in design that make a Mason & Hamlin piano superior, we discuss scaling. What is it and why is it important? Scaling in the context of a piano refers to the layout of the strings. Let’s begin with the basics. Sound on a piano is produced by your finger depressing the key, which in turn activates a hammer that flies towards the string. This force causes the string to vibrate and produce the pitch it is tuned to. This s