key compass contribute to the tone of the whole compass sympathetically. He compares this application to the great organ high frequency stops of 12,000Hz. In chapter six of this paper, I have composed music where the pitches of highest notes of the 102 key compass are heard clearly in arpeggiated sequences.

Since the Omega 6 has been produced the Brazilian pianist- composer Artur Cimirro¹²⁵ has composed music for 108 keys in anticipation that the Omega 6 will be implemented into a Stuart piano design soon. Cimirro had composed piano music for a higher and lower frequency range than the standardised 88 keys before he knew about the Stuart & Sons piano. Before the 102 keyed Stuart piano was designed, in 2006 his compositions included the contra C already established by the Bosendorfer Imperial, and the higher Eb8, three notes above the 88 key range to C8..In the music extract below from Artur Cimirro’s Eccentric Preludes Op.20 I¹²⁶, (2012) , the highest note on the manuscript is B87901 Hz.¹²⁷

Stuart Piano Design, Sound and Composition

The Stuart & Sons piano produces a different sound to the standardised modern piano. The difference is due to the design changes particularly in how the piano strings vibrate.The effect this difference in sound has on my performance and composition are demonstrated in the music composed and presented in chapter six. In brief, the new piano sound has inspired me to focus on Australian elements, defining the sound as an Australian sound, and proceeding to use its characteristics in collaboration with Aboriginal musicians, playing re-composed Aboriginal chants of the local Sydney region.

Wayne Stuart’s philosophy of piano design is focused on an artistic interaction between the musician and the designer that supports a process of developmental change within the art of contemporary music making. Stuart is interested in emphasising an artistic challenge to the pianist and composer through his instrument design, to create new contemporary sound vocabularies, combining the traditions and

^{125     3} Opus Dissonus, “Artur Cimirro-The Documentary.”
¹²⁶Artur Cimirro, Preludios ExcentricosOPUS DISSONUS EDIÇÕES MUSICAIS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FOR ALL COUNTRIES BY ARTUR CIMIRRO http://www.arturcimirro.com.br/ (2012)
¹²⁷7901 Hzis my calculation, and may be under. W Stuart states it’s over 8,400Hz in the documentary: 4Opus Dissonus, “Artur Cimirro-The Documentary.”