As I ponder my passion for Europe and why I’m a Europhile, I’ve recently been writing about my experience as a schoolboy visiting the Vienna factory of the most luxurious and expensive pianos in the world, Bösendorfer. Two blog entries ago, I mused that the old-fashioned quality of those pianos, built so lovingly that they were almost birthed and each had its own personality, likely is no longer the case in our fast-food world.
It’s exciting (or perhaps scary) how one’s writing can spread these days. I just received this email from Rupert Loeschnauer in Vienna, who assured me that their pianos are made “faithful to their traditional heritage.” (I’ll have to take him up on his offer next time I’m in Vienna.) Here’s his letter:
Dear Rick,
I found your interesting article (October 18) on HeraldNet. With great curiosity I read about your visit to Bösendorfer in Vienna back in the late 1960s and early ’70s and about your fear that old-time quality might have gone.
Don’t worry, Rick, the loving care for making our wonderful grands and pianos hasn’t gone. The employees in Bösendorfer factory, who are without exception great masters of their trade, have remained faithful to their traditional heritage. Still more than 10.000 production steps – most of them still done by hand – are executed per instrument to create a true work or art. Still we use the best materials for our pianos. And when it comes to the unique singing tone: we still treat the entire instrument as a resonating body, thereby achieving Bösendorfer’s unique richness of tone color and its typical singing timbre.
We would be glad, Rick, if we could host you another time in Vienna and show you that within our fast moving, mass-produced modern world you still can find traditional quality: products that are not manufactured but being birthed. How I like your words!
With best regards from Vienna Rupert Loeschnauer
I have a habit when I travel that I must open the keylid on any piano I see. The make of the piano gives me an indication of the values and priorities and appreciation of quality an establishment will have. While cheap Asian pianos dominate these days (I remember doing the math once and finding that one big Asian piano company produces as many pianos in a month as Bösendorfer does in 30 years), I’m always pleased (and impressed) to open the lid and see that classic Bösendorfer emblem. (In case you wondered, the Beatles played a Blutner, from East Germany.)
There is not enough of that authenticity these days. i think that these types of things will be harder and harder to find as time moves on. even maw and paw restaurants are hard to find these days. everything seems to be drown out by the concept of the franchise and the bigger quicker model. living in southern cali is kind of a hard reality when it comes to authenticity. it exists, but it is hard to find. I live in the land of the strip mall and franchise restaurant. each city has its own set of the same thing that the next city has and it all seems very watered down. thats my soap box speech.
Rick…………sometimes creativity and quality in the modern world is in areas you may not think of in relation to something like a piano ……such as well designed and implemented software systems or a bridge or building design………..there is still great quality…..look at the British library or the Bilbao museum…..quality still all around if you observe…..your TV shows are carefully crafted for example also………….
I can’t comment on pianos, but I can comment on the best two piano players who ever lived, my two Sisters. Seventy Five years ago, Mary would sit at the piano for an hour or so after dinner, and play hymn after hymn. At church, or at a revival meeting she could play requests for hours without a hymn book. I left home before my younger sister became a piano player. One of her first teachers, at the end of a lesson, would play the song for next week’s lesson, then a week later when Martha played it back for him, it was prefect. But one day he found that Martha couldn’t read music, as he played the song each week, she memorized it as he played it once, and never looked at the music. When she was still in Grade School, she became the pianist for the County High School Choir. These days, on Sunday morning she plays the piano at one church, and the organ at a church with a later schedule. I love to hear the professional pianist when they play the real music, but these days “noise†seems the best they can do. I would say that except for Rudy Atwood, the accompanist on the “Old Fashioned Revival Hour” from 1937 until 1969, a female touch is required for the best hymn playing. Oh I forgot to mention, my Brother has played the piano for churches and at his college (he was a professor) for 60 years. I took a few lessons, but it never took for me. I preferred playing brass instruments in the Penna. Railroad Band, and the Ohio State Guard Band. That stopped when I got false teeth, oh well!! Trivia: My piano teacher was the sister of Hedda Hopper. And another trivia, Hedda had a beautiful lady change her name to Janet Blair, named after Blair County, Pennsylvania, where we all lived at that time. Hey I did mention to word “Piano†a few times, so this is on the subject, right Rick?
I learned to play on a cheap piano. I would like to play on a Bosendorfer. The sound quality must be incredible.
Jim Humbard, please stop high-jacking Ricks’ blog, and start your own. I quit reading your posts long, long ago because they are self-serving. Sorry, but I finally had to say it. I know you’re lonely since your wife died, but you have to move on.
Well Richard you will have to explain that. I have no Blog, and don’t want one, but when Rick writes about a subject that I feel my experience will complement, I write it. I have received so many thank you Emails, one this morning. In no way am I competing with Rick, I have nothing to sell, but most travelers like to read different views on a subject. You must be a magician. You have stopped reading my posts long ago, but still through magic, you know what this one is about. ===== By the way, this morning I will drive to the Printer Company and pick up 50 copies each of my six new travel books (1800 pages total), printed to give to friends and family, they are not for sale.
Never thought I’d come to Jim’s defense, but Richard, while I sympathize with your comments, I think maybe it is our job to tolerate Jim. He’s just being himself (and apparently some folks like it)and except for his politics, is not overtly offensive. I don’t want to shut anyone up unless their words are comaparable to shouting fire in a crowded theater…like Hannity, O’Reeeeeally, Rush and the like.
I often read Jim’s posts, sometimes I pass them by. Never would I feel the need to tell him to leave. I don’t think that is your job. If Rick doesn’t want Jim to post, let Rick decide. You’ve already discovered a way to deal with something you aren’t interested in–you pass it on by. Why be so mean-spirited as to post what you did today? My captcha today is “catholics.” At the risk of being “self-serving” in Richard’s eyes, I offer the following tidbit: Catholic is synonomous with “universal” (at least that is what I was taught when I asked why we Episcopalians professed faith in one “holy, catholic and apostolic church”). The need to feel one is a contributing member of society is a universal need. Sometimes those contributions come in the form of homilies like Jim’s. Some people may find them annoying, others enjoyable.
Oh! Nancy, I never knew I wrote a homily. The Dictionary says, sermon; tedious lecture; an inspirational saying. I don’t know if I would find that annoying, or enjoyable, but thanks for your help.
Richard, I am in agreement with Jeff and Nancy on this one. Mr. Humberd gives us a different perspective on things based on his many trips overseas over many years. While he and I disagree on politics I respect his right to his views, and I enjoy reading the stories he shares with us. Jeff, there is nothing wrong with shouting fire in a crowded theater; it is wrong to falsely shout fire in a crowded theater. This is often misquoted from a SCOTUS opinion. Oh oh, hope the verfying word does not refer to my postings. Somatic
It took me a long time to decide to say what I said. It was not frivolous. Like most of you, I’ve been a longtime consumer supporter of Rick Steves. Jim, if you wrote a travel book,and can post here, you can write a blog. But there is a bigger audience here, and would take a while to get those numbers on your own site. I stand by what I said.You’re hijacking this forum.
Richard, I share your thoughts on this (and I bet Rick does as well, though he is wise enough not to say so). Jim’s posts are similar to spam. I welcome his comments when truly relevant to Rick’s blog post. But all too often they aren’t and come across as blatant attempts to drive attention to him as opposed to Rick as he capitalizes on Rick’s hard work in gaining this audience of readers. Jim, please get your own blog.
Jim Humbred adds a new dimension on travel called a sense of humor. Delightful.
Thank you Donna, Nancy, Nels, and maybe, just maybe Joe. For Sweetie and I, “To Travel†was a synonym for “Good Mood.†If we are in a good mood, the people we meet are in good mood. In my books I can find hundreds of stories where we were treated far beyond the expected. In Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Greece, France, Spain, Greece, and many many more, the people were nice beyond our highest expectations, and that is because we were happy during in our travels. And in those books there are less than five occasions where we were not treated as we should have been. But none were more than human nature, and they resulted in humorous stories to remember about our travels. I’m sorry some of you don’t like my posts, well I don’t like some of the ones I see here, but that as expected. I have my opinion on politics, and you have yours. Is that a surprise? That is an important quality in our country. Use my E-mail if you want to fight politics, please. Richard, you are in the minority, with a couple on the fence. But that’s not counting the Emails I get, and compliments on other chapters in this Blog. Rick, I only want to complement your travel stories, our travels were as opposite from yours as possible. That’s because we were individualistic, and could not stand the regimentation of a tour. But a tour is the best for most people.
I don’t think anyone is trying to hijack Rick’s blog. This is exactly how we do it at school, domeone (usually the teacher) throws out a topic and then we respond. Some of the responses are great, some off the wall and some people just like to hear themselves talk. But it is communication and add to our lives. Mr. Humbard reminds me of my grandpa and I would no sooner tell my grandpa to shut up because he is redundant and irrelevant any more than I would Mr Humbard. He’s not hurting anyone and if he irritates you then just skip he post. Maybe Rick is more tolerant than scared of Mr Humbard so quit picking on him.
I’m not picking on him, and I did not tell him to shut up. Love any of my grandparents as I did when they were alive,I would say the same thing to them. You ever have to sit down with the g’parents and a heart to heart talk, one that you felt needed to be done, even if it made you unpopular ? However, I do not view Jim as an elder in any way. That borders on being patronizing. If he wants to preface his stories with “For Sweetie and I…we did this and that, etc.” that’s his choice. It’s called a blog.
Rick Steve’s tales of travelling with his father and the fine pianos gives me a thousand-yard stare, toward what might have beeen for any of us at a young age, to have that influence.
I know I have broken the rule way too often, but I can’t resist this one more. I have hundreds of what I call Writing Gems, this one fits here exactly. === You have heard the question “Does a falling tree make any noise if no one hears it fall?†My Gem, “If I type a few paragraphs and no one reads them, have I really written anything?â€
You write well, Mr. Humberd.
Humberd you keep going! You have lived a life none of us has paralleled,or even barely coincided. I appreciate your Gems and check your webpage often to refresh myself. Your life could be made into a movie but of course to be made today the politics would have to be reversed. You make too much sense for many readers of this blog and so become a bit of an irritant. I have found there is nothing so impermeable as the liberal mind, hermetically sealed against all thought but what is in agreement with it. I have travelled with ETBD 6 times and while I disagree with Rick on almost all things political I still think he is the best at what he does and respect and admire him for that. I love experiencing Rick’s tours and am ready for Eastern Europe this coming Fall. I also see the sheer joy of independence and adventure that a Humberd European Tour would provide, especially if hosted by the Head Humberd!! I hope to meet you someday Mr.Humberd, my only regret is that I won’t be able to meet your special Sweetie.
Hi, Some of these replys to Rick’s blog are interesting but it seems that folks are forgetting what this forum is for. Don’t really care if Humberd writes a comment here or not. His perogative and its up to Rick and his staff to allow him to continue or not. Not ours. I would rather see comments on what rick writes about but if Mr. Humberd wants to write something in here and the staff of rick steves website doesn’t have a problem with it then let it go. I will say though that at least Mr. Humberd is at least making a comment in regards to the blog. The rest of you have nothing to say in regards to the blog itself. By the way Mr. Humberd, I did like your comments. And it was an enjoyable blog entry by rick.
Rick says: “(In case you wondered, the Beatles played a Blutner, from East Germany.)” So did Claude Debussy.
Okay, I’ll be more direct and call it what it is. Jim Humberd posts his dialogues on Rick’s blog to push his own products and his own websites. To me his posts are no more than commercial spam. Of course it’s Rick’s decision if he wants to allow this. It’s one thing to post relevant comments to Rick’s blog posts. But it’s another thing entirely to respond to every blog post with a personal anecdote and to sign each post with his full name in the hope that you’ll google it and go to his sites. He’s the only poster I know on Rick’s blog who does this. Coincidence? I think not. The posts are part of his internet marketing strategy of finding popular sites and then trying to drive traffic to his sites. I don’t think Rick’s intent was to set up a forum for others to advertise their businesses on his blog, yet this is what has happened. Jim states that he does not want his own blog, but he sure has no problem using Rick’s blog so that he can piggyback off Rick’s name and notoriety for commerical purposes.
Hi Rick, I see today Sunday 26 Oct. you are in CA, speaking at a Corte Madera book store. Unfortunately I live just one county further north…beautiful Sonoma where we have several independent bookstores filled with intelligently written and informative travel guides among the best of which are yours.Wish you couldhave wandered up our direction. PS Nine more days!
Was watching KQED Channnel 9 in S.F. Bay Area on Saturday . Rick did a 16 show pleadge drive, repeated on Sunday. Showed some new stuff, talked about Iran show in January ’09. Saw some shows new to me. Anyone else see it?
Joe you are standing on your head. My Web site tells only about the Travel Experiences of my Sweetie and my self. As you can see there is nothing that I sell, I don’t advertise anything (other than Google, which I do not control), I don’t offer advice, I give commentary, not itinerary. I only offer stories and photos of our wonderful visits to other places, in hopes it will give other travelers a hint about something that maybe they hadn’t heard of. I have met many people who visited Ephesus, Turkey, and were never told that the last home of the Virgin Mary is just up the mountain a few miles. Nothing very exciting, but nice to know. Most people learn from experience, smart people learn from other people’s experience. Do you really think Rick could sell many tours if he did not have some experience and knowledge of all the places he is taking you? But do you think he has seen and experienced all there is to experience and learn and enjoy in Europe? Rather than a guided tour, my Sweetie and I often didn’t know what country we would be in by nighttime, but we knew it would be a wonderful day. I gain nothing financial if more or less people visit my Web Page. It’s all for fun, at least for me, if not for you. My E-mail is on that site, if you want to discuss this without bothering Rick’s site. I think that at least some of the responses to my comments, are much more irritating than what I offer.
It’s good to compliment Rick’s blog with other travel insights like Mr. Humbred does. The world isn’t flat afterall. Happy travling!
I have a degree in music and am a professional. Because of this, I really enjoyed Rick’s post on pianos. I think the best pianists that ever lived are the professionals that plays in concert halls like Danial Barenboim and Martha Argerich. I can tell Jim knows nothing about music, but he sure knows travel!!
Being from the USA, I have been amazed at how different symphonies, piano music, etc. sound in Germany and Austria. As I am not a music expert, it is hard to say it is better, but I sure enjoy it more than the USA versions. Perhaps it is just because it is a new sensation?
Rick–as a regular viewer of your shows, I recently woke up to the following remembrance in my life. Back in 1968 I bought a new Grotrian 9ft from your dad for use by Walt Wagner who I “discovered” and put on stage in my Sun Valley Resort, Calico. Ah yes, history! I too play, having started at the age of 4 and am now 76. A couple of years ago I went thru the Bosendorf factory and was treated royally. They were just finishing a new instrument for Billy Joel. You just keep getting better with your shows. We have been to most places on the continent and spent 5 months two summers ago in a rented villa above Lake Como which was an outstanding time. Feel like we have a kinship with you through travel and pianos. Cheers, Bob and Kathleen Brown
Amazing statistic that an Asian piano company produces as many pianos in a month as Bösendorfer does in 30 years. If in London please have a look at http://www.kensingtonpianos.com , they do have some of the Asian companies products but they also have a wide range of those old fashioned pianos.