The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the professional organisation for music retailers and manufacturers. Once a year NAMM organizes what is considered the world’s biggest music instruments show: the NAMM Show. It will be held from January 17 to 20 in the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

Sauter Piano Company has become one of the most high profile exhibitors as world renown artists presented and performed during the Sauter NAMM Reception. The presentation in 2006 and 2007 had been dedicated to Sauter’s historical roots. In 2006 we presented the Amadeus Limited Edition Grand Piano honoring the 250 Jubilee of the Genus and in 2007 we commemorated Beethoven’s 180th Anniversary. Especially to Ludwig van Beethoven we have a close historical connection: our founder built instruments for him during his apprenticeship in Vienna.

For NAMM 2008 we decided that we need to show to the industry that we are not only the world’s oldest piano manufacturer but also the lead in piano design and aesthetics. Thus this year our exhibit will focus on our Peter Maly design line.

We invite NAMM Industry Participants to the customary Sauter Reception on Friday, Jan 18, 2007. As special guests we will have Andrae Crouch, nine time Grammy Award  winner, and Prof. Bram Wijnands, an authority in Jazz performance and composition and look forward to some special musical treats.

On Monday Dec 16th 2007 Gil Sullivan performed at a sold out Weill Hall at Carnegie. The concert was sublime and the Maestro was received with standing ovations.  Some interesting insights were offered by the technician who prepared the Sauter 275 Concert Grand on a piano discussion website. With permission of Mr. Jerry Cohen, RPT and President of the regional Piano Technicians Guild Chapter, we re-publish his comments:

“Yes, I prepared and tuned the piano.

Since Sauter is not sold in the New York area, yet, this is the 1st one I have worked on.

The piano is quite amazing. It is very powerful and consistent from top to bottom. Most pianos have some compromised areas so you have to balance the tone against the weakest part. Originally this piano was weak in the bass, but I was able to quickly and easily buildt it up. After it arrived it arrived on stage, the bass was almost to big, but Mr. Sullivan said to leave it because he could control the balance.

Also, on stage we all agreed that the piano was very bright, with a slight harsh edge that should be toned down. Many bright pianos die when you try to tone them down, but the Sauter responded extremely well. Not only did the harshness disappear,  but a beautiful round tone started to emerge, without losing any of its power. This is very rare to have power and beauty at the same time.

 After fine regulating and voicing the piano was capable of enormous dynamic range from the softest ppp to a thundering fortissimo. Gil Sullivan’s playing certainly took advantage of all that the piano had to offer.

 Since this was the Carnegie Hall debut for Sauter (as well as Gil Sullivan), being responsible  for the performance of the piano put extra pressure on me. But with an instrument of this quality, it was sheer pleasure to listen from the audience.

Jerry Cohen, RPT”

Jerry- thank you. You did a great job!

Links:http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/1/20458.html#000000