News & Events

  • The AH Piano Salon soiree’ series for 2013 has begun! We have some wonderful events are scheduled showcasing talented world-class musicians. Send us your email and we will include you in our newsletter detailing the events

  • Soiree’: Sunday March 10, 2013. AH Piano Salon. 4-6pm. International pianist Franklin Larey arrives from Cape Town, South Africa performing works by Scarlatti,Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms. . A CD Signing and “Meet the Artist” will be be held following the Soiree’.

  • Mr. Larey is the director of the piano department in the University of Cape Town and a graduate of the Peabody Institute. Many awards and accolades have been given to Mr. Larey for his talents and his dedication to furthering education and music in Africa. Mr. Larey Is en route to Minnesota for a concert, and has engaged Arlan Harris to produce his second CD production featuring music performed in the Soiree’ performance. Mr. Larey’s previous CD Production can be purchased or downloaded on CD Baby, Itunes , or Amazon.com. The CD is “ Franklin Larey: Brahms Op. 10 117, 118. The Cd was recorded in Oktaven Studios on our Customized Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand with the very talented Ryan Streber at the board. We look forward to hosting Mr. Larey and to hear about his experiences in Post apartheid South Africa. Below is a biography of Mr. Larey:

    Franklin Larey is recognized as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists and acclaimed for his performances of works by Brahms, Mozart, Scriabin and Ravel.

    An Associate Professor of the University of Cape Town, where he was appointed Director of the South African College of Music from 2002-07, he appears regularly as a recitalist, soloist, and accompanist, and has worked with conductors such as Isaiah Jackson, Gabriel Chmura, Bernard Gueller, Victor Yampolsky and Lesley Dunner. Awards include first prize at the 1991 Young Chang International Piano Competition, third prize at the 1996 New Orleans International Piano Competition and the prestigious Fulbright Researcher Award from the University of Cincinnati. During his time in residence in the USA he also performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington DC, as an invited Fulbright artist.

    He has received several honors for his work as a concert pianist, and for his contribution to music in South Africa. In South Africa he has served on the National Arts Council, a documentary of his career was aired on satellite television, and he was featured in South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council’s published series, Living Treasures. He currently serves as Director of the Summer Session of the Adamant Music School in Vermont (USA), and in 2010 he performed at Carnegie Hall (NY) at an anniversary concert of the school. His piano teachers include Bruce Gardiner Laura Searle, Frank Weinstock and Richard Fields.

  • February 2, 2013: International concert pianist Tienni Chen performed on one of the Arlan Harris Pianos solo and with choir at the annual Organization of Chinese Americans New Year”s party in Stamford, Ct. She performed with the Fairfield County Chorus and AH Piano Salon was a proud sponsor!

  • PTG Convention April 2013: Arlan will be instructing again in the Piano Technicians Guild’s Mid Atlantic Regional Convention This April. Arlan was asked to share the podium with the very talented Scott Jones, who has developed several patents for Steinway & Sons during his tenure in the Steinway R & D Department. Scott still consults with Steinway while presiding over his own company: Pitchlock Inc. Scott offers cutting edge products he has developed which are quite cost effective and innovative. For more information go to: www.pitchlock.com. We always have a good time and learn from one another in these events.

  • New CD Out! The very talented Steinway artist, Max Barros has a wonderful CD out. Produced by Arlan Harris and Max Barros, with help from Recording wizard Ryan Streber, the project was a success! Max recorded on Arlan’s Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand, which is located at the wonderful Oktaven Audio Studios in Yonkers, NY. Ryan Streber co-produced and engineered the sessions. The great brazillian composer, Camargo Guarnieri (Brazil, 1907-1993) was recorded and is available on I-Tunes, CD Baby, and local record outlets. Wonderful reviews and radio play is being received after only a few weeks on the market.

  • The very talented International concert pianist, Yael Weiss, was over the other day to break in some pianos in the salon. Her trio recording (which Arlan was piano technician) has reached #11 on Billboard for quite a few weeks. The trio performed at the AH Piano Salon a few months ago to a sold out audience. Rumor has it a new recording is in the works. Their latest gig was in Kennedy Center , January 18th, which was sold out. New York times hails this trio as “Three strong voices locked in sequence”. Not to be missed!

  • PTG Chapter Technical- Long Island, NY Arlan provided a technical in January for the Long Island Piano Technician’s Guild chapter. It was a meaningful reunion as so many technicians and their clients have gone through so much after the terrible storm “Sandy”. New techniques and approaches to our work was demonstrated and discussed.

  • Master Piano Technicians of America 2013 Convention:
    The Master Piano Technicians of America will have their upcoming annual convention in Sarasota Florida in July. Arlan will be teaching a class on regulation and one on voicing with the illustrious Randy Potter. This will be a mini-marathon for high level piano regulation and fine Voicing. Dr. Jack Hamilton still resides as president and always brings excitement, innovation and leadership to our conventions. The beaches are supposed to be superb and we hear some exciting events are planned.

  • Oktaven Audio, which Arlan is partnered with, has been swamped with recordings! Producers and Engineers from around the country (and some across the ocean) have found a unique recording facility to bring their projects. Find out more and listen to samples at: www.oktavenaudio.com.

  • Our Fall soiree’ program will be announced shortly. We have some wonderful events with world-class musicians. Send us your email and we will include you in our newsletter.

  • The annual Master Piano Technician’s convention, this year located in beautiful Salt Lake City, was excellent. Arlan was asked to teach again, and offered two courses and a workshop. In addition, top instructors such as Rick Baldassin, Jim Busby, Randy Potter, Carl Teel, Joe Benvenutto, and others offered extremely valuable instruction. Technical classes sponsored by Renner USA, Extremely inventive new tools and techniques class by Jim Busby, who generously offered jigs and handmade tools to all attendees. Randy Potter offered his expertise as a veteran educator and technician, expounding on the current status of our profession and exploring angles and options our business offers. Important contributions were offered by attendees as well, as in the “Show and Tell” session where many fellow technicians demonstrated new tools, designs, and innovations.

    The MPT is an unusual organization, as a family atmosphere and warmth prevails and is the background and root of the organization since it’s inception. Doctorate degrees in Piano Technology were given  to Mr. Randy Potter and Mr. Rick Baldassin in a moving ceremony.

    Our banquet was first rate with excellent food, jazz trio,  and good conversation.  Many thanks to the efforts of the board: Jack and Cindy Hamilton, Vince Mrykalo, John Backels, Joe Benvenutto and Don Komorski! We had a great time and all walked away renewed with information and new skills, and friendship.

  • The new website of the Certified Master Piano Technicians is up! For concert rentals, purchases of pianos by Master Piano Technicians, recording live or in studio, we can assist!   go to:

    www.certifiedmasterpianotechnicians.com

  • Pianist/composer Rebecca Oswald’s recording “Whereas” 2011, performed and recorded  on our modified Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand D in Oktaven Audio under the wonderful engineering of Ryan Streber is getting a lot of radio play and great reviews. You can listen on Pandora ! check out www.rebeccaoswald.com. I love the piano sound and she really pulls out some nice colors and textures!

  • Next Event: May 20th 2012 4pm
    MANUEL VALERA- International jazz and latin Jazz Recording Artist and Piano Virtuoso
    Piano Soiree’- An intimate afternoon with Manuel! New Cuban Express CD Signing and meet the artist! Limited seating! For more information: www.piano-seminar.com

  • Upcoming event: June 10th, 2012. 4pm - REBECCA OSWALD IN RECITAL
    Selected songs from the October Winds CD and Whereas CD. All songs composed by Rebecca Oswald. Meet the artist and CD signing! Limited seating. For more information: www.piano-seminar.com

  • April 15,2012  4pm.
    YAEL WEISS- International concert and recording artist performing Beethoven sonata Op. 54, Schumann kreisleriana, Higdon Secret and Glass Gardens, Beethoven Sonata #23 in F minor, Op. 57. CD signing of the acclaimed 2011 Fall release of Brahms and Smetana Trios! limited seating.
    For more information and tickets: www.piano-seminar.com

  • New Book!
    My good friend and respected colleague, Daniel Levitan, has published an excellent book titled, “The Craft of Piano Tuning”.  It provides a detailed and insightful knowledge of our art and craft.  I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the technical and theoretical side of piano tuning. Available in stores and Amazon.com

  • The Montreal Symphony Orchestra featuring Angela Hewitt and the magnificent Fazioli concert grand was a huge success last month in Carnegie Hall. It was good to see Angela again, and the program was one of the most innovative programs I have seen in some time. The orchestra was marvelous and I had to stay "till the end" - at least until after intermission!

  • Many benefit concerts occurred last month for the tragedy our friends and neighbors in Japan are going through. It is certainly still not over.

  • Eve Wolf's "Ensemble for the romantic century" had a wonderful performance last month in symphony space last month. Rumor has it she is in contract with some very famous actors for a production oversees.

  • The Utah full day seminar sponsored by the Piano Technicians Guild was a huge success! Approximately 30 of the area’s technicians attended and learned more about Voicing, Regulation, and of course, Tuning. The location was Brigham Young Univerisity, in Provo, Utah. What a beautiful campus and the installations and design is impressive.The hospitality of the organizers is unsurpassed. New friends were made and many wonderful new friends were made. The majestic mountains are not to be missed! A concert Steinway model D as well as a kawai Vertical piano was provided for demonstration as well as the powerpoint presentation which was utilized as well. New Techniques, innovative approaches, Holistic methods to our work, and new tools and materials made this seminar valuable to all who attended. 

  • Once again reviews by Arlan has been published in the world’s finest source for potential purchasers of pianos, the piano buyer. Evalutations of Steinway, Fazioli, and Mason and Hamlin are reviewed in the “ask an expert” series in this extensive  free online magazine. A quality paperbook version is available for purchase as well. A great resource for up-to-date information . www.pianobuyer.com

  • I was  one of 5 guest educators for the Master Piano Technicians Guild Annual Convention.  This time it was in lovely Vermont, one of the nicest places to be in the summer. This is for a select group of experienced technicians. We shared  our knowledge and innovations and Jack Hamilton was giving away a new key easing tool he developed.  We all had a wonderful time and I look forward to our next convention!   For more information go to: www.mpt.org

  • The Carnegie Hall , Zenkel Hall performance of Jeromy Denk was ground shattering! On February 16th, 2011, Mr. Denk performed on a Klavierhaus Hamburg D that was customized, performing works that at some times, with the eyes closed, seemed as if there were 4 hands playing instead of two. Jaw-dropping! The solo recital was sold out long ago. Do not miss seeing Jeromy Denk perform when he comes to your area! Note: Last year’s recital in Zenkel with Mr. Denk was written up in the New Yorker Magazine as #2 of the 10 best classical music events of 2010. . A Metropolitan Opera performance occupied the number 1 slot! Not bad for a solo piano recital! I had attended to Mr. Denk on that recital as well, which was simply astonishing. Sold out, of course.  A truly world-class pianist.

  • I enjoyed giving a class in September 2010 in Steinway Hall for our New York City PTG Chapter 101. As always, it was a “star filled” event, bringing out the best and brightest technicians in our fair city.  Being in Steinway Hall always brings back fond memories of my time working there in the basement. As always, the atmosphere is one of elegance and grace.

  • My good friend and world-renown cellist, Christine Walevska, has returned from a month long tour of Japan.  All performances were sold out, a 5 cd box set is available of  some of her past recordings, and she was written about in virtually all the major newspapers during her stay there. Bravo! She recently returned from a tour in Switzerland.  One of the greatest cellists I have heard. www.christinewalevska.com

  • Arlan was asked to lecture in the 2009 Piano Technicians Guild Convention International Convention in Michigan. I gave 2 days of classes speaking on: “The Modern Concert Piano Technician”. The classes were well received and new techniques, concepts, and ideas were shared for colleagues to encorporate into their work.

  • Arlan's class in the NEECSO Piano Technician Guild Convention in Rhode Island April 29th to May 2nd 2010 was well attended. There were instructors from across the United States and Canada. It was a wonderful convention, well organized by Melanie Brooks of Brooks LTD.

  • Arlan  was asked to work on the Sala Sao Paulo Theater’s 3 Hamburg Steinway pianos in February, 2010. Working for Steinway in Brazil, Arlan was able to return to this venue and was able to see my  good friend and colleague, Jose Luis de Silva, who is the local technician caring for the instruments in the hall. I enjoyed my  time with Sergio and Audrey de Simone- owners of Gluck Pianos, the Steinway Dealer in Brazil. As usual, Sergio was a wonderful host and attention to every detail was the norm. Thank you, Sergio and Audrey!

  • Arlan  was able to arrange for training for 3 of Brazil’s top technicians who work on Steinway pianos and are affiliated with Steinway & Sons. In addition, I worked on the Concert and Artist rental piano, bringing it to top performance standards. A good time was had by all, and in typical Brazilian fashion, I was taken to the central market to experiment exotic fruits and foods rarely seen in the United States.

  • MPT MASTER PIANO TECHNICIANS OF AMERICA Convention 2011 a Success!
    The 2011 Master Piano Technicians of America Convention was a huge success.  Many technicians arrived from all over the United States. We were able to enjoy beautiful Vermont and had time to share with each other and our spouses as well as the daily classes and learning activities. In addition to teaching a full day Masterclass on Concert Piano Technical Work, I was able to attend many other classes that proved very interesting and valuable. I would highly recommend any serious technician to try to join this organization of serious professionals and continue to upgrade and hone their skills. Classes in refinishing techniques, regulation, Mason & Hamlin action parts, Randy Potter,  Bruce Clark, etc…. All was interesting and professional. I enjoyed the class on internet business techniques taught by Eric Roberts, the webmaster of the MPT. We executed and full of ideas. It was nice to see the mix of seasoned old timers with the new people.
New pictures are included in the gallery portion of this website!