Kathryn Stott

Piano technician to the greats, Ulrich Gerhartz is in conversation about pianos with his friend and Kathryn Stott.

Ulrich Gerhartz is talking pianos with some of the greatest pianists of our age. Ulrich is Director of Concert and Artist Services at Steinway and Sons in London. For the last 30 years he’s been piano technician to the stars of the piano world. When they sit down at a keyboard, it's his job to ensure that these top musicians have the best instrument possible set up for their particular taste and touch.

Great pianists take Ulrich on tour; into recording studios; and to the world’s finest concert halls. Tuning is a small part of what he does as he spends hours preparing each piano to suit each performer.

Here Ulrich is in conversation with his friend, the pianist Kathryn Stott. They discuss memories of choosing a piano for Kathy to record music by her soul composer, Fauré; being in studio together for days on a Messiaen project; and both coming across the same very special piano in Zimbabwe.

Fauré: Nocturne No. 1 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 33 No. 1

Messiaen: 20 Regards sur l'enfant-Jésus: No. 15, Le baiser de l'enfant-Jésus

Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major, Op. 50

Smetana: Dreams: Celebration of Czech Country Folk

Korngold: Quintet, Op.15: Adagio

Fitkin: Circuit

Nadia Boulanger: La Mer

Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Must Try Softer Production