What the printing press was to literature, the piano was to music. The flourish of creativity known as the Neoclassical Period during the 1700s was when the piano came into its own, having very public love affairs with composers as renowned as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig von Beethoven.
The Central Coast Music Teachers Association (CCMTA) has organized a lecture for all piano ponderers, titled “A Comparison of Pianos through the Ages.” The talk is to be delivered by a veteran piano tuner and technician, Beverly Aiken.
“What I’m going to talk about, depending on how longwinded I get, will include 300 years of piano history,” Aiken said. “I’m going to explain how the piano evolved from the beginning to how it is now.”
The association asked Aiken to deliver the lecture; several teachers received tunings from her and were quite familiar with her knowledge and expertise.
“Hearing Beverly, she has so many years of experience, and a wealth of knowledge,” Nell Kauffman, publicity chairperson for the association, said. “I can’t wait to hear her.”
The CCMTA is a group of mostly piano teachers who meet regularly and share resources, advice, and friendship. Members come from as far north as Paso Robles and as far south as Santa Barbara. The group is under the umbrella of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, which is part of the Music Teachers National Association.
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Through these groups, CCMTA teachers are able to have their students compete in statewide, and then national competitions. The groups are also host to conferences for the teachers, students, and public, not unlike the upcoming lecture.
The program is to take place at The Piano Outlet, recently opened in Nipomo. The large and open location houses dozens of pianos and several digital pianos. More than just factory-manufactured models, the Piano Outlet also houses several artisan pianos and big names such as Steinway and C. Bechstein.
“There will be a lot of different pianos there to play,” Kauffman said. “I can’t wait to hear Beverly talk about all the different pianos so I can pass that information on to my students.”
What we know as a piano is actually called a pianoforte. Piano is Italian for soft, and forte is Italian for loud. The piano was the first keyboard instrument to have a dynamic range. Aiken will explain the mechanisms involved in making that dynamic possible, as well as the historical development of these mechanisms and the big players in the technological advancements of the instrument.
“Without giving too much away,” Aiken said, “I will talk about the first guy to build a piano, Cristofori. He was a harpsichord manufacturer.”
Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655 to 1731) is credited with building the first true pianoforte. He was employed to make harpsichords by the famous Medici family in Italy.
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“One of the things I’m going to do, is there was one piano manufacturer: Joseph Hale,” she continued. “He was to the piano what Henry Ford was to cars. He made pianos for the working class.”
Aiken will elaborate on this information and more, as well as answer any questions, at the event on Oct. 15. The Central Coast Music Teachers Association will also provide information about the group.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents DJ Totem on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. The country variety music of Randy Emmett and the Sideshow is Oct. 14 at 8:30 p.m. followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck with The Bellmores is Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. UDACs performs classic rock music Oct. 15 at 8:30 p.m. followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com.
The jazz man himself
The Chumash Casino Resort presents the smooth jazz and adult contemporary icon Kenny G in concert Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Cost is $45, $55, $65, $75, and $85. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH.
Mall music
The Santa Maria Town Center presents a “Salute to the Arts: Music in the Mall” event featuring a performance by Still Time on Oct. 15 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the mall. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 414, rnarez@ci.santa-maria.ca.us, or ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
All that grows
The Growing Grounds Farm Santa Maria presents its fourth annual Harvest Festival featuring fresh food, flowers, crafts, art, and live music on Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. at Growing Grounds Farm, 820 West Foster Road, Santa Maria. More info: 934-2182 or t-mha.org/main/main_hf.html.
Addamo rocks
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “ROCK”tober! Wednesday nights during October featuring live music and a costume party including a tropical-themed night featuring John Fagat on Oct. 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2011.