1977 mason and hamlin model a piano
Being no expert on music theory, it really struck me when the commentator pointed out that Brahms turns the tune inside out (about 1:47 into this version) and how exceedingly beautiful that 'simple' change is - indeed. I was first drawn to this piece during a commentary about it on either CBC Stereo or CJRT one Sunday afternoon when I lived in Oakville back in my undergrad days. I've managed to negotiate the first two pages so it sounds sort of like what it should be. When I first tried to play it a few years ago, I was really rusty reading music and I thought it was impossible. He bought a 9'4" Model CC94 from the dealer in Calgary. DO NOT BUY A PIANO FROM THE MUSIC GROUP! Interestingly enough, the only other Saskatoon person to buy a new Mason and Hamlin piano is another teacher, BJM teacher and musician Don Griffith. Mason and Hamlin do make quality pianos in Boston (only 300 per year), but The Music Group (aka Mason and Hamlin House) are horrible dealers. Needless to say, it's been a great inconvenience as I had to uncrate the lid today and haul it into the house with my wife. They shipped me a new lid in April 2010, but I had to pay the customs brokerage as well the technician, Bruce Gibson, who will be installing it for me tomorrow.
The problem was never resolved by Mr van Suijdam, so I contacted Mason and Hamlin directly in January 2010. I found a fault in the lid at the hinge joint in February 2009. They were otherwise know as PianoHouse Burlington when they came to Saskatoon in May 2008 and October 2008, but the owner, Willem van Suijdam, had to sell that part of his operations in 2009. I've been mad at the stupid dealer we bought it from- The Music Group. With the cover off, the aromatic hard rock maple fills the room with its pleasant scent. I haven't touched our Mason and Hamlin Model A for months.