News article index

This section covers general news related to the world of piano, pianists, synths, electronic music, and musicians.

Yamaha C7 grand piano accompanies Star Wars: In Concert

The greatest film saga and the greatest film music composed will come together this fall for Star Wars: in Concert, a multi-media touring event that will feature a Yamaha C7 grand piano.

Star Wars: In Concert combines John Williams’ unforgettable music, performed by a live symphony orchestra and chorus, with specially edited footage from all six Star Wars films. Through each musical piece, audiences experience the key themes, characters and story elements of the epic Star Wars saga in a fresh and exciting way.

Live narration by Anthony Daniels, who portrayed C-3PO in all six films, introduces each segment of the two-hour show, guiding audiences on a remarkable journey into the heart of a galaxy far, far away.

In addition to the main event, guests will have access to an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props and production work, gathered from the Lucasfilm archives.

The worldwide concert tour begins Oct. 1 in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center and plans to hit 50 North American cities before embarking on a global jaunt. To purchase tickets and see the full tour schedule, visit www.StarWarsInConcert.com.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Moog to end Voyager Old School production

Moog Music has announced that only 40 more Voyager Old School synthesizers will be built.

If you need some encouragement to go and get a first (or second) Voyager OS, take a look at what Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman has to say:

“Only Bob Moog could come up with a unique machine such as this. In the 70’s, the original Minimoog changed the face of music with it’s incredible sounds that were an absolute must for keyboard featured themes and solos, and the Voyager is no less than a 21st century equivalent.

My advice to anyone who has ever owned a Minimoog and loved it, is to go straight out and to buy a Voyager…and if you’re a keyboard player and have never had the pleasure of owning or playing a Minimoog…then go out and get a Voyager anyway, you will never regret it.

Quite simply it’s an absolute necessity for any keyboard rig, but has created a problem for me, as when I fall in love with something such as the Voyager, and also being the eccentric I am, I have found that I cannot be happy with just the one and will therefore be getting a second as soon as possible!”

Popularity: 5% [?]

Van Cliburn 2009 piano finalists announced

The thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition now has six chosen finalists.

They are:

• Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov, 25 (Bulgaria)
• Ms. Yeol Eum Son, 23 (South Korea)
• Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, 20 (Japan)
• Ms. Mariangela Vacatello, 27 (Italy)
• Ms. Di Wu, 24 (China)
• Mr. Haochen Zhang, 19 (China)

Each pianist will perform two concerti of his/her choice with the acclaimed Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of renowned American conductor James Conlon. Each finalist will also perform a fifty-minute solo recital of works not performed in previous rounds.

The Final Round will be held Wednesday, June 3 through Sunday, June 7, and every concert will feature three artists.

There will be live webcasts of the finalists performing in rehearsals and during the competition with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Here are brief biographies of the finalists:

Evgeni Bozhanov, 24 (Bulgaria)

Evgeni Bozhanov was born in Rousse, Bulgaria, and made his orchestral debut with his hometown orchestra at age twelve. Currently pursuing post-graduate studies at the Robert Schumann Musikhochschule in Duesseldorf, Germany, he earned top prizes at both the 2008 Casagrande (Terni, Italy), and Sviatoslav Richter (Moscow, Russia) competitions. Also first-prize winner at the Carl Beckstein Competition in 2006, he has performed in several major concert halls in Germany and looks forward to a tour of Italian cities.

Yeol Eum Son, 23 (South Korea)

Yeol Eum Son has performed with the Israel, New York, Seoul, and Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestras, among other noted orchestras. Third-prize winner of the 2005 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition, Ms. Son has made debuts at several international music festivals, including the Beethoven Easter Festival in Warsaw, the Rheingau Festival in Germany, and the Bowdoin Festival in the United States. She currently studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover, Germany, and has recorded a CD of Chopin etudes for Universal Music in Korea.

Nobuyuki Tsujii, 20 (Japan)

Nobuyuki Tsujii’s performance credits include the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. At the age of twelve, he made noted recital debuts at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. An acclaimed debut album released by Avex classics in 2007 led to a fifteen-city tour of Japan and a second CD featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, released in 2008. Blind since birth, Mr. Tsujii states his firm belief that “there are no barriers in the field of music.” He participates in the performer’s program at the Ueno Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo.

Mariangela Vacatello, 27 (Italy)

Born in Naples to a musical family, Mariangela Vacatello made her official debut in Milan with the Pomeriggi Musicali Orchestra when she was fourteen. At seventeen, she was second-prize winner of the 1999 Liszt Piano Competition (Utrecht, Netherlands), and in 2005 she was awarded the same distinction at the Busoni Competition (Italy). Ms. Vacatello has performed in Italy’s most renowned concert halls and festivals. Recent international engagements include recitals at Brussels’ Palais des Beaux Arts, London’s Wigmore Hall, the Montpellier Festival and Salle Cortot in France, and extensive tours throughout Mexico and South Africa. She is a graduate of both the Piano Academy “Incontri col Maestro” in Imola, Italy, and of London’s Royal Academy of Music.

Di Wu, 24, (China)

Recently singled out by Musical America as a young artist to watch, Di Wu made her orchestral debut with the Beijing Symphony at age fourteen. She is currently enrolled in Juilliard’s artist diploma program and has performed with the National, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras, and twice with the New York Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. International engagements include recitals at the Busoni International Piano Festival in Italy and at Germany’s Klavier Festival Ruhr, as well as at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Winner of Juilliard’s 2009 William Petschek Award, Ms. Wu will make her Alice Tully Hall recital debut at Lincoln Center in May 2009.

Haochen Zhang, 19 (China)

The youngest participant in the 2009 Cliburn Competition, Haochen Zhang gave his debut recital at the Shanghai Music Hall at the age of five, performing all of Bach’s two-part inventions, as well as sonatas by Haydn and Mozart. He performed with orchestra at age six, and moved to the United States at fifteen to attend the Curtis Institute of Music. First-prize winner of the 2007 China International Piano Competition, Mr. Zhang has performed with the China National Symphony Orchestra, Krakow State Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and has concertized throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. He also excels at ping pong and enjoys writing poetry.

SCHEDULE OF FINAL ROUND PERFORMANCES

Wednesday, June 3
Evening Performance:
7:30pm – Ms. Mariangela Vacatello (Recital)
intermission
8:45pm – Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov (Chopin, Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op. 11)
intermission
9:45pm – Ms. Di Wu (Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19)

Thursday, June 4
Evening Performance:
7:30pm – Ms. Yeol Eum Son (Recital)
intermission
8:45pm – Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Chopin, Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op. 11)
intermission
9:45pm – Mr. Haochen Zhang (Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466)

Friday, June 5
Evening Performance:
7:30pm – Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov (Recital)
intermission
8:45pm – Ms. Yeol Eum Son (Chopin, Piano Concerto No.2 in E minor, Op. 21)
intermission
9:45pm – Ms. Mariangela Vacatello (Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58)

Saturday, June 6
Matinee Performance:
1:30pm – Mr. Haochen Zhang (Recital)
intermission
2:45pm – Ms. Yeol Eum Son (Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16)
intermission
3:45pm – Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18)

Evening Performance:
7:30pm – Ms. Di Wu (Recital)
intermission
8:45pm – Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18)
intermission
9:45pm – Ms. Mariangela Vacatello (Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26)

Sunday, June 7
Matinee Performance:
1:30pm – Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Recital)
intermission
2:45pm – Mr. Haochen Zhang (Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16)
intermission
3:45pm – Ms. Di Wu (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30)

5:00pm – Awards Ceremony

Van Cliburn Foundation

Popularity: 7% [?]

Lang Lang chosen as worldwide ambassador to 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Superstar Chinese pianist Lang Lang has been chosen as one of three official worldwide Ambassadors for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, alongside NBA player Yao Ming and the actor Jackie Chan.

Lang Lang, the most popular contemporary classical musician in the world, will be involved in various Expo activities including the opening ceremony, music videos promoting the event, plus various marketing and promotional activities.

The theme of this year’s Expo, which takes place from May 1st through October 31st, is “Better City, Better Life”.

By dedicating a 3.28-square-mile area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events, and forums on this theme, Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living. Officials anticipate that more than 70 million people will visit the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Steinway announces Q1 2009 results

Finances are pretty boring (to me, at least) so I’ll keep this brief.

Piano manufacturer Steinway has announced its 2009 first quarter financial results.

Sales dropped 26% to $70m, gross margin decreased to 26.6% from 29.1%, and the company had a net income of $1 million, down 49%.

Steinway’s CEO, Dana Messina, noted, “In the second quarter, we anticipate continued softness in band instrument sales. We expect our back-to-school season in the third quarter to be better and are building inventories to meet the expected customer demand. Our new products are gaining traction in the marketplace; we are excited about their prospects and expect them to do well for us beginning in 2010.”

“Piano sales have been dismal as dealers struggle with low traffic, a general lack of affordable financing and excess inventories,” said Messina. “We expect continued soft sales during the next few quarters until dealers gain more confidence that consumer demand is improving. Given the conditions, we have further reduced factory headcount, lowered production rates and reduced production days at both of our piano plants. We have aggressively reduced staff headcount and salaries to keep our expenses in line with sales. Looking forward, we believe that we can adapt to this new expense structure and increase profitability as demand recovers.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

M-Audio DCP-300 digital console piano now available from Avid

The latest in the M-Audio line of digital console pianos has arrived, with Avid’s announcement of the DCP-300.

Main features include:

• Sixteen premium sounds including Steinway Model D concert grand piano plus two vintage electric pianos, FM electric piano, clav, harpsichord, church organ, rock organ, strings, upright bass, electric bass, vibes, choir, fantasia, warm synth pad;
• 64-note polyphony;
• 40-watt stereo speaker system;
• 88-note TruTouch II graded hammer action keyboard
• Three pedals, including sostenuto;
• Built-in USB MIDI;
• Audio inputs;
• built-in 2-track recording with 28,000-note memory;
• layer / split modes;
• reverb / chorus effects;
• Included Session and Sibelius First software;
• two elegant finish options: dark wood-grain and rich walnut.

Available now with a recommended retail price of $1,375.95.

Product page

Popularity: 7% [?]

iPhone musician to play Wembley Stadium

When the iPhone was first launched it didn’t immediately jump up and shout about its music creation credentials. Sure, it’s an iPod, but that’s really about playback of music — the closest I really expected it to get to music creation was by hooking two or more together with some digital decks and DJing with them.

Nevertheless, two years on and with third-party applications aplenty, the iPhone has such gems as Star Guitar, noise.io, PaklSound1, Bloom, SynthPond, and numerous other music composition and synth creation tools.

Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that the iPhone will be the gadget star of forthcoming concerts at Wembley Stadium:

The London Evening Standard reports:

Singer, songwriter and producer Gary Go will be playing his iPhone instead of guitars and drums at a series of Take That concerts in July.

Go, 24 – real name Gary Baker – has already written several tracks for his first album using software downloaded to the phone. He used it to recreate guitars, drums, piano and horn sections.

All the demos for his album were laid down using a virtual four-track recording studio installed on his phone.

“I think it’s pretty amazing that I’m going to be using a mobile phone on stage at Wembley Stadium in front of so many people. I grew up behind the stadium, and used to listen to concerts in my back garden, ” said Go, whose single Open Arms is released on 11 May.

“My biggest worry is that my phone will ring mid-song.”

We’ll be ramping up our coverage of iPhone musical apps over the coming weeks, because (particularly for a mobile phone/entertainment device) there’s some pretty nifty bits of software available to complement or even replace recording studio and live performance gear and PC software.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Roland launches DP-990R digital piano [Musikmesse 2009]

Roland updates its DP-990 digital piano line with the introduction of the DP-990R.

This full-size, 88-note keyboard boasts new realism in feel and look, with Ivory Feel keys and high-gloss polished ebony finish.

Playing the piano is as much about the feel as the sound, and Roland has put its PHA II Ivory Fell Keyboard with Escapement technology onto the digital piano, ensuring the lower range keys are heavier in touch than the higher ones.

Each key has been sampled multiple times for a more realistic sound, and that’s complemented by a range of natural effects including reverberation and realistic resonance, emulating an acoustic grand piano.

The inclusion of USB ports means it’s possible to load up digital audio into the piano and play along with it. A novel additional feature is twin-piano mode which splits the keyboard in two, each half covers the same octave range. The left and right pedals can also be reassigned as damper pedals for their respective split keyboard. Nifty.

Full specifications as follows:

Keyboard

88 keys (PHA II Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement)

Touch Sensitivity

Touch: 5 levels, Fixed Touch
Hammer Response: 10 levels

Keyboard Mode

Whole, Dual (volume balance adjustable), Split (split point adjustable), Twin Piano

Sound Source

Conforms to GM2/GS/XGlite

Maximum Polyphony

128 voices

Tones

306 tones (including 8 drum sets, SFX set)

Temperament

8 types, selectable tonic

Stretched Tuning

On/Off

Master Tuning

415.3 Hz to 466.2 Hz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz)

Transpose

Key Transpose: -6 to +5 (in semitones)
Playback Transpose (with Audio CD/Audio File): -6 to +5 (in semitones)

Effects

3D (4 levels)
Dynamics (3 types)
Reverb (10 levels)
Damper Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)
Key Off Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)
String Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)

Metronome

Tempo: Quarter note = 10 to 500

Beat: 2/2, 0/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8

Volume: 10 levels

Metronome Sound: 8 types

Recorder

Tracks: 3 tracks

Song: 1 song

Note Storage: Approx. 30,000 notes

Control:

Song Select
Play/Stop
Rec
Previous/Rewinding
Next/Fast-forwarding
Track Mute (Mute level adjustable)
Tempo
Tempo Mute
All Song Play
Count-in
Count-down
Song Volume
Center Cancel (only for Audio playback)

Tempo: Quarter note = 10 to 500

Resolution: 120 ticks per quarter note

Internal Memory

Songs: Max. 99 songs
Save Song: Standard MIDI Files (Format 0)

External memory

External Storage:

USB Memory
Floppy Disk (when using optional floppy disc drive)

Playable Software
Standard MIDI Files (Format 0/1)
Roland Original Format (i-Format)
Audio File (WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit linear format)
Audio CDs (CD-DA) (when using a commercially available CD drive)

Save Song:

Standard MIDI Files (Format 0)

Internal Songs

65 songs + 7 Tone Demo Songs

Connectors

USB connector
External memory port

Other connectors:
Output jacks (L/Mono, R)
Input jacks (L/Mono, R)
Headphones jack x 2 (Stereo)
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
DC inlet
Pedal connector

Others

Rated Power Output: 12 W x 2

Speakers: 12 cm x 2 (with speaker box)

Display: 7-segments, 3 characters (LED), Beat LED

Control: Volume, Brilliance (21 steps)

Pedals: Damper (half-pedal recognition), Soft (half-pedal recognition, Function assignable), Sostenuto (Function assignable)

Other Functions: Panel Lock, V-LINK

Power supply: DC 12 V

Power Consumption: 48 W

Accessories: Owner’s Manual, AC Adaptor, Power Cord (for AC Adaptor), Headphone Hook

Options: USB memory, USB Floppy Disk Drive, USB CD Drive, CD Drive Holder,

Size and Weight ( lid close )

1,398 mm (55-1/16 inches) W x 344 mm (13-9/16 inches) D x 781 mm (30-3/4 inches) H

48.0 kg (105 lbs. 14 oz.)

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Roland intros C-330 Classic Organ [Musikmesse 2009]

When a modern keyboard just won’t cut it for the sort of organ sounds you’re wanting to play, Roland’s C-330 Classic Organ could be just what you’re looking for.

The unit features Rodgers highly acclaimed voice engine on board, offering gorgeous tone with highly flexible pipe-voicing capability, Windchest panning, and controls for Warmth, Presence, Chiff, and more. Custom settings can be stored to USB memory.

It’s built with a dual manual tracker-action 61-note keyboard and parallel concave 30-pedal pedalboard.

The C-330 is equipped with a 4-channel digital amplifier and a patented RSS ambience engine for a rich, spatial sound. Hands-on controls are provided for instantly controlling the balance of the main speakers, the satellite speakers, and the reverb. The RSS technology allows for a smooth change of room size, wall type and reverb depth to create the perfect ambience.

Full specifications as follows:

Keyboard

Manual-I: 61 keys (C2-C7, Tracker action)
Manual-II: 61 keys (C2-C7, Tracker action)
Pedal: 30 keys (C2-F4, Parellel Concave)

Stops

Total 33 Stops
Manual-I: 9 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
Manual-II: 10 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
Pedal: 8 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
4 Voice Palette each: Total 108 voices
USER/MIDI Voice: 74 Voices
Total: 182 Voices

Coupler

Manual Coupler: I/P, II/P, II/I
Melody Coupler: 1 (Piston)
Bass Coupler: 1 (Piston)
USER/MIDI Coupler: 6 (2 for each division)

Tremulant (Tablet)

Manual-I, Manual-II 1 each: Total 2

Registration

Piston: 5 X 20 Memory Banks Total 100

Piston: total 15

SET, 1 – 5, M-, M+, NEXT, BASS, MEL, STOP, PLAY/PAUSE, REC, 0

Effect

RSS Reverb

Controls

4 Knobs
Master Volume knob
Reverb knob
Satellite Volume knob (Select/Menu)
Value/Exit Menu knob

Key Transpose

-6 to +5 (semitone steps)

Temperament

9 types (Equal, Werckmeister III, Kirnberger I/III, Vallotti, Meantone D#/Eb, Pythagorean, Modern Bach)

Pitch

4 types (392 Hz/415 Hz/440 Hz/465 Hz)

Master Tuning

+/-50 cents

Song Recorder

Tracks: 1
Tempo: Quarter note = 20 – 240
Piston: STOP, PLAY/PAUSE, REC

File Storage

Media: USB flash memory

Pedal

Expression Pedal: 1
Foot Switch: 2

Speakers

Woofer 20 cm x 2, Tweeter 5 cm x 2, Satellite Speakers 12 cm x 2

Connectors

Phones jack (Stereo), Output jacks (L/Mono, R), Input jacks (L/Mono, R), MIDI connectors (In, Out), External Memory connector (USB Flash Memory connector), Satellite Speaker (Dedicated Connector), AC Inlet

Power Supply

AC 117 V, 230 V, 240 V

Power Consumption

120 W

Cabinet Finish

Simulated Light Oak

Accessories

Satellite Speakers, Owner’s manual, Quick manual, Demo song list, Power Cord, Pedalboard, Bench, Cover

Option

Stereo Headphones, USB Flash Memory

Size and Weight ( Total of Console and Pedalboard )

1,270 mm (50 inches) W x 910 mm (35-7/8 inches) D x 1,319 mm (51-15/16 inches) H

109.8 kg (242 lbs. 2 oz.)

* Including Music Rest
* Satellite Speaker size: 179 (W) x 91 (D) x 144 (H) mm x 2 units
* Weight including Satellite Speakers (Console: 81.5 kg, Pedalboard: 25.5 kg)

Size and Weight ( Bench )

1,350 mm (53-3/16 inches) W x 294 mm (11-5/8 inches) D x 640 mm (25-1/4 inches) H

20.0 kg (44 lbs. 2 oz.)

* The height is adjustable. (640 mm to 655 mm) (25-1/4 inches to 25-13/16 inches)

Availability and pricing to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Roland intros C-230 Classic Keyboard [Musikmesse 2009]

In a world of modern keyboards, there’s something about Roland’s new C-230 Classic Keyboard that speaks of the past.

That’s not to say that it doesn’t have cutting edge technology in it.

The C-230 features 36 classical organ tones, 8 organ bass tones, 4 harpsichord tones, two fortepianos, celesta, and a range of other sounds that can be added to the organ voices.

Spanning five octaves, the tuning can be adjusted in five ways (Equal, Werckmeister, Kirnberger, Vallotti, Meantone), there’s a damper and expression pedal, and a built-in speaker system (10W x 4) comprising two full-range speakers, two tweeters and two satellites, for a much fuller, enveloping sound.

The compact case is constructed from simulated mahogany, and it’s easily portable.

Availability and pricing to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

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