 Piano man is in tune with his craft CATHERINE L. FOLEY
Rich, creamy and smooth — words Russell Gordon uses to describe not chocolate milkshakes, but the grand pianos he has tuned. Gordon is the only licensed installer of the Stanwood Precision TouchDesign technology in the Westchester and western Connecticut region. The Stanwood technology, developed by Massachusetts piano technician David Stanwood, uses computer-generated specifications to calibrate the weights, change the leverage and modify friction so that all of the piano's 88 keys respond to touch in a uniform way. "The goal is to make the workings of the actual piano transparent. (The Stanwood technology) allows me to give a very predictable and smooth response. It allows people to be better pianists and get the music out and through the instrument," Gordon said. He said new pianos leave the factory in an imperfect state. "In a factory, they can't invest this much specialized time. We can calibrate it and make it play like a dream," Gordon said. "It's taking what is stock and making it work optimally. I can give them something better than they can get out of the factory." Gordon, a Goldens Bridge native, learned his craft from his father, Paul Gordon. After an initial career in biochemistry, Russell returned home to Goldens Bridge 24 years ago and apprenticed with his father to learn the art of piano tuning, restoring and rebuilding. When his father retired, Gordon took over the business. He got his first big break when he rebuilt a Steinway Model O for Lila Acheson Wallace, co-founder of Reader's Digest Association Inc. Soon after, he rebuilt Lawrence Rockefeller's Steinway and was hired by the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah. Caramoor's Managing Director Paul Rosenblum said Gordon has kept their concert pianists playing well and happily for 17 years. "He's an excellent, excellent technician. Russell is really at the top," he said. "We have great instruments here, but they have to be kept at the top of their capabilities and he does that for us." As Gordon's reputation grew, so did his list of clients, which now includes the Copland Heritage Association in Cortlandt, classical pianist Hélene Grimaud, several local celebrities, piano teachers and many private owners. "Pianists at any level can benefit from this," Gordon said. The cost of installing the Stanwood system ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. Gordon also rebuilds pianos in his home workshop and recently finished a 1915 Steinway Model A3 with the Stanwood system, on sale for $55,000. "The ability to take this and bring it back to life, and have people go, 'Oh my God!' It's very gratifying," Gordon said. Looking back, Gordon said he is glad he chose the family craft over science. "It's a lot of fun solving the mechanical puzzles," Gordon said. "I've had individuals and families, they see (their piano) or play it and start crying, or they just jump out of the seat and give me a hug." Contact Gordon at 914-232-4479 or on the Web at www.russellgordonpiano.com. |