Note by Note Film Review
Documentary Examines Craft Involved in Making a Steinway Piano
While most piano manufacturers have either gone out of business or made concessions to
modern times by now mass producing their instruments on hi-tech assembly lines, Steinway
stands as out as a company which has refused to compromise in terms of quality and
remains dedicated to doing things the old-fashioned way. Each of its pianos contains
12,000 handcrafted parts and relies on the involvement of about 450 different employees at
various stages of the year-long process.
A dying breed, this collection of cabinet makers, tone regulators, rough tuners and other
assorted skilled laborers takes a great deal of pride in the task at hand. Furthermore, they
know that each of their 88-keyed creations is imbued with its own recognize sound, almost
akin to the musical equivalent of a unique personality.
In Note by Note, we get to follow these extraordinarily sensitive artisans as they toil away on
L1037, a Steinway concert grand. Directed by Ben Niles, the movie takes you from the picking
of its wood on the floor of the forest through its innumerable stages of construction around
the factory in Queens to the Manhattan showroom to the purchased product's finally finding a
home in a concert hall.
What is perhaps most remarkable to observe is that what we have represented here is a
veritable United Nations of ethnicities with each deeply dedicated to completing the same
project successfully. And over the course of the picture it becomes clear that in order for them
to measure up to the standard of excellence long-associated with the Steinway name it calls
for a commitment to a level of communication and cooperation which has long since
vanished from most trades.
Documentary Examines Craft Involved in Making a Steinway Piano
While most piano manufacturers have either gone out of business or made concessions to
modern times by now mass producing their instruments on hi-tech assembly lines, Steinway
stands as out as a company which has refused to compromise in terms of quality and
remains dedicated to doing things the old-fashioned way. Each of its pianos contains
12,000 handcrafted parts and relies on the involvement of about 450 different employees at
various stages of the year-long process.
A dying breed, this collection of cabinet makers, tone regulators, rough tuners and other
assorted skilled laborers takes a great deal of pride in the task at hand. Furthermore, they
know that each of their 88-keyed creations is imbued with its own recognize sound, almost
akin to the musical equivalent of a unique personality.
In Note by Note, we get to follow these extraordinarily sensitive artisans as they toil away on
L1037, a Steinway concert grand. Directed by Ben Niles, the movie takes you from the picking
of its wood on the floor of the forest through its innumerable stages of construction around
the factory in Queens to the Manhattan showroom to the purchased product's finally finding a
home in a concert hall.
What is perhaps most remarkable to observe is that what we have represented here is a
veritable United Nations of ethnicities with each deeply dedicated to completing the same
project successfully. And over the course of the picture it becomes clear that in order for them
to measure up to the standard of excellence long-associated with the Steinway name it calls
for a commitment to a level of communication and cooperation which has long since
vanished from most trades.
This moving documentary features testimonials by classical and jazz greats like Lang Lang, Kenny Baron, Hank Jones and Harry
Connick, Jr. all of whom credit the Steinway team for enabling them to maximize their potential as performers. A cinematic first, a
standing ovation by icons for the unsung, working-class heroes who make them look good.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 80 minutes
Studio: Plow Productions/Film Forum
Connick, Jr. all of whom credit the Steinway team for enabling them to maximize their potential as performers. A cinematic first, a
standing ovation by icons for the unsung, working-class heroes who make them look good.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 80 minutes
Studio: Plow Productions/Film Forum
