Concert No 1 – Video extract.
In the video extract 5.1 below, the Stuart piano (brown) is being played by Kevin Hunt and the Steinway piano (black) is being played by Simon Tedeschi. The extract from the performance of ‘Gershwin Medley’ is edited into 3 sections, each illustrating differences of both pianos’ tonal characteristics. In the first section [00m:18s], the pianos are being played similarly, albeit harmonized slightly differently, the rhythms, dynamics and articulations are similar, so the pianos are heard as a homogenous sound. The video is then edited forward about 1 minute to the 2nd section, which exhibits Simon Tedeschi playing the Steinway in a leading role [00m :18s – 1:07], and the 3rd section follows with Kevin Hunt playing the leading role on the Stuart piano [1m:08s – 2:0]
| Video extract 2 pianos- Greshwin Concert 1 |
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| Sound table 5.5 (Audio Visual) | ||
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| Fig 5.10 Audience Survey Concert No 1 | ||
Section 1 – Gershwin video
The ensemble sound of both pianos heard in the 1st section [00m:18s], could be described as being ‘bright’ and ‘full’. Some imbalances of volume and tonal colour observed in this section, present higher. The ‘brighter’ Steinway tone dominates the blend of the 2 instruments. The sound of the upper register ‘stab’ chords, played in unison by both pianos, is dominated by the more immediate attack sound and ‘brightness’ of the Stuart sound. The repetitive left hand phrases played by both pianists in rhythmic unison are harmonized. The lower phrase in the bass register of the Steinway sounds ‘brighter’ in tonal colour than the phrase played on the Stuart, over an octave
Section 2 – Gershwin video
The differences in tone in the right hand registers above middle C, are more noticeable in the section 2 [00m :18s – 1:07], where the Steinway lead exposes a ‘fuller’, wider tone in the treble registers to that of the previous two piano ensemble sound. When the camera vision splits into two, [.36s] it is possible to see that even though Tedeschi is playing the lead with at times, quite a forced fortissimo, an effect which is applied to many right hand phrases played in this swing-be bop jazz style, the tone of the Steinway does not reach the ‘brightness’ previously heard in the homogenous 2 piano sounds played at fortissimo in the same treble registers in section 1.
