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Piano technician to the stars, Ulrich Gerhartz talks pianos with some of the greatest pianists of our age.

Piano technician to the greats, Ulrich Gerhartz is in conversation about pianos with his friend Paul Lewis.

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 pianist Paul Lewis.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73: II. Adagio, un poco mosso
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto 27 in B flat major K.595
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 14 in A minor, D. 784: II. Andante
Schubert: Winterreise - song-cycle D.911 no.5; Der Lindenbaum
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye, Suite: IV. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête V. Le jardin féerique
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15: III. Rondo

Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Must Try Softer Production

56 minutes

Last on

Sat 22 Nov 202513:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto no.5 in E flat major (Emperor)

    Performer: Paul Lewis. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto no.27 in B flat major, K.595

    Performer: Paul Lewis. Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
  • Franz Schubert

    Piano Sonata in A minor, D 784 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Franz Schubert

    Der Lindenbaum (Winterreise)

    Performer: Paul Lewis. Singer: Mark Padmore.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Suite: Ma mère l'oye

    Performer: Paul Lewis. Performer: Steven Osborne.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Piano Concerto no.1 in D minor, Op.15

    Performer: Paul Lewis. Orchestra: Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Broadcast

  • Sat 22 Nov 202513:00

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