Between Artist and Technician

“Between Artist and Technician”

October 16th, Vermont PTG Meeting

Steve Brady and Judith Cohen

In this class, an experienced concert technician and a concert pianist team up to discuss the interaction between artist and technician before, during, and after a piano concert. Topics covered include communication, priorities, and the psychology of the pianist versus that of the technician, as well as specific tips and techniques for concert work, all illustrated with examples drawn from Steve’s and Judith’s respective careers. Copies of Steve’s new book will be available for purchase.

Steve Brady has been a piano technician since 1973, and served as head piano technician at the University of Washington from 1978 till 2003. During those 25 years he tuned and prepared pianos for approximately 5,000 concerts and recitals, and worked with most of the leading pianists of our time, including Murray Perahia, Alfred Brendel, Andras Schiff, Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax, Peter Serkin, Richard Goode, Claudio Arrau, Alicia de Larrocha, Andre Watts, Vladimir Feltsman, Lang Lang, and Evgeny Kissin.

Steve served as editor of the Piano Technicians Journal for six years (1995-2000). In 1996 he received the PTG “Member of Note” award, and in 1999 PTG published his book, A Piano Technician’s Guide to Field Repairs. His second book, Under the Lid: The Art and Craft of the Concert Piano Technician, was published in March of this year. In his spare time Steve enjoys cooking, tending his wine cellar, and dancing Argentine tango. He lives in Seattle with his wife, the concert pianist Judith Cohen.