Robin,

This is a question that I dealt with often at Colonial Williamsburg, with all kinds of instruments (not just keyboards), and I always discussed the request to play any instrument with CW's conservator of instruments, John Watson. John has given considerable thought to this question and even written a book that discusses it, "Organ Restoration Reconsidered."

Briefly, his argument is that use of antique instruments, no matter how carefully they're played and handled, destroys the original fabric of the instrument and thus lessens its value for studying manufacturing techniques, tool marks, textile use, construction details, etc. If your grand piano has never had any restoration whatsoever and is of historic value (important maker, local importance, etc.), you might want to consider not playing it.

If it has been extensively restored - new soundboard, modern strings, new textiles (dampers, etc.), refinished, replaced keys - then there is most probably little left of the original besides the case, and playing it will not damage the piano's action or destroy historically-important material because there's none there.

Then there's the very wide middle: if the instrument has a fair amount of original components but has had careful and sensitive conservation/restoration with moden materials, then judicious use of the instrument, on select occasions, can be considered.

Look at your collections management policy to see what it says about use of the collections. Discuss it with the curatorial staff and, if necessary, the director of the museum. Think about the stresses on the instrument (tuning a piano for a concert is time-consuming and puts an enormous amount of stress on the soundboard, especially if it's a wooden one, not a metal one). Then make a decision.

You may want to look at the website of the International Committee of Musical Instrument Museums and Collections, which is part of ICOM, for guidance. You can find it here:
http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/cimcim/
and you might want to talk to colleagues at area museums to find out what they do.

Hope this helps.

Martha Katz-Hyman
Independent Curator

>>> Robin Gabriel <[log in to unmask]> 6/2/2011 12:49 PM >>>

What is the current thought on best practices for using (or not using) a collection item grand piano for a public performance? The piano is in great shape (other than being out of tune).

Thanks,

Robin

 

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Robin Gabrielhttp://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1



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