Cinema Society

NOTE BY NOTE: THE MAKING OF STEINWAY L1037

Average
Rating

4.6

Wednesday, February 13, 2008, Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

Invited Guest: Director Benjamin Niles

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

5:00pm or 7:30pm (You Pick!)

In Association with La Jolla Music Society

A Celebration of the arrival of The Belanich Steinway

Featuring the San Diego Premiere of

NOTE BY NOTE: THE MAKING OF STEINWAY L1037

Followed by a performance by Alessio Averone on

The Belanich Steinway

Sherwood Auditorium, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego

The Cinema Society of San Diego is honored to be celebrating the arrival of La Jolla Music Society’s Belanich Steinway to San Diego with the San Diego Premiere of the feature documentary

NOTE BY NOTE: THE MAKING OF STEINWAY L1037, followed by a performance on The Belanich Steinway Grand Piano by famed pianist Alessio Averone.

NOTE BY NOTE: THE MAKING OF STEINWAY L1037

The most thoroughly handcrafted instruments in the world, Steinway pianos are as unique and full of personality as the world-class musicians who play them. However, their makers are a dying breed: skilled cabinetmakers, gifted tuners, thorough handcrafters.

NOTE BY NOTE is a feature-length independent documentary that follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand, #L1037—from forest floor to concert hall. It explores the relationship between musician and instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process, and illustrates what makes each Steinway unique in this age of mass production.

From the factory floor in Queens to Steinway Hall in Manhattan, each piano’s journey is complex-- spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor. Filmed in key Steinway locations-- the factory, Steinway’s reserved “Bank”, and private auditions-- NOTE BY NOTE is a loving celebration of not just craftsmanship, but of a dying breed of person who is deeply connected to working by hand. In the end, this is an ode to the most unexpected, and perhaps ironic, of unsung heroes. It reminds us how extraordinary the dialogue can be between an artist and an instrument—crafted out of human hands but borne of the materials of nature.

Not Rated / Running Time: 81 Minutes

PLEASE NOTE: This event is on a Wednesday.

ALSO NOTE: This program involves a formal introduction, screening, performance and discussion.

AND NOTE THIS: Program is presented at Sherwood Auditorium in the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, 700 Prospect Street, in the Village of La Jolla. Program begins at 5:00pm and 7:30pm—you pick (no need to inform the Cinema Society of your choice)

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22-Feb-08: Aaron Nowlin - Rating: 4

It is hard to critique the film after having a chance to meet the director and listening to the Piano (more/less). But attempting to remain objective, I thought the film was a solid first time effort (if it was not a first time effort I would have given it a 3). I think some of the details were numbed out by the repetition of those same details. What I mean to say is that the movie seemed like it was attempting to show something unique in Steinway and, for the most part, it succeeded. But I thought the repetition of the same details took away from the potency of the message of the film. All in all I enjoyed it thoroughly.

If I had to rate the night itself I would give it a 5.

20-Feb-08: Mary Saxton - Rating: 5

Thank you, thank you, Andy for the spectacular evening last Wed. It was a perfect example of why I am a member of Cinema Society. I loved the film and I loved the speakers. I bought a copy of the film and Loren and I will be showing to our church group that meets once a month here at our home.

14-Feb-08: P. Newton - Rating: 5

This was an outstanding evening. It is so nice to know how the wonderful pianos are made, but then get to see the STAR of the film up close. The concert after was the icing on the cake. Thank you so much.

14-Feb-08: JFY - Rating: 4

Very entertaining, amazing to think that all that work is still getting done by hand (how rare). It's always interesting to hear musicians talk about creating music as well as their inspiration (Lang Lang and others; Tom & Jerry!)

The performance by Alessio Averone helped finish the evening on a "high note".

13-Feb-08: KS - Rating: 5

Wonderful, wonderful film Andy. I bought the DVD and want to share it with everyone.

Thank you for a wonderful ending to my time with the Cinema Society.

Carry on....I will miss it.