A Piano Expert's Opinion

I love pianos. They are my career. In fact I would actually go one step further. Other than my wife, two cats and one dog, fine pianos are my passion and my life.

Over the years, I've learned a thing or two about fine pianos, and pianists' individual preferences. Whether it be overseeing the things that can go right and occasionally go wrong at a factory as venerable as Bösendorfer in Vienna, where I was one of the chief technicians for 14 years, or tuning Oscar Peterson's piano every week, or preparing Chick Corea's, Herbie Hancock's, Keith Jarrett's, Vladimir Ashkenzay's or Alfred Brendal's pianos to their specifications just before a concert, I have picked up a few "tricks" of the trade along the way.

I feel a profound sense of gratitude and privilege to have participated in some historic musical events throughout my career. Experiencing the transcendent beauty of a great artist recording masterworks on a magnificent instrument to be captured forever on disc, or witnessing a musical genius completely captivate and connect with an enthralled audience in a world famous venue, feeds and invigorates the soul. To know that you have played a key role in helping the experience happen – as the people at MasterCard would say -- "priceless".

I have also been extremely fortunate to have been able to learn from, and sometimes assist the very best in the world during my 33 year career – musicians, technicians, engineers, manufacturers, educators and retailers.

So why this website?

By far the biggest reason is to try and dispel some of the rhetoric and myths that invade this beautiful little world we affectionately call the "piano industry". My tolerance for deceptive positioning, questionable marketing, political manoeuvring and manipulating of and by centres of influence grows weaker by the day. I admit that I've grown a bit grumpy over the years and it's no secret that I can be somewhat temperamental. Fortunately, my customers seem to understand and I keep getting more opportunities than I could probably handle in three lifetimes. I think for the most part, people can see through the gruff exterior and sense that I really LOVE what I do. I think people understand that I REALLY care, and that it's my passion for excellence that might at first throw some people off. And to me, that's not such a bad thing.

So it's not the care of fine instruments that irks me, it's the other stuff that sometimes gets in the way. I do tend to get a bit testy when I tune a piano that sits in a beautiful home and the beaming owner asks me what I think of their instrument. "It's a ________ you know - fully restored – I paid a handsome sum – it was rebuilt by the very best company – it was a one and only - absolutely exquisite inlays. "They really don't make pianos like they used to do they?"

My mind races with several possible responses. The sarcastic comments might be cathartic for me, and occasionally even a bit clever; some quips although a bit more benign might allow me to vent the dissonance I'm experiencing inside. But for the most part I usually once again, bite my tongue, smile and say something polite and generic. In these situations, and they are all too frequent, the truth can really hurt and probably won't help. By this time the money has been spent, and another PSO (piano shaped object) has been romanced into the home because of a pretty exterior and a well known piano brand. I then go about my business of trying to get something out of what might have been an active living instrument decades ago, but is now in need of the ICU, oxygen mask firmly strapped on ready for the inevitable any moment. I do believe in miracles, but I leave these up to a Higher Being.

At this time in my career, I look back and find great fulfillment in knowing I have helped build the best pianos, laboured hard to restore tired, but once great, instruments back to more glorious and youthful days, and assisted some of the world's most legendary pianists choose the best, and then customize them to suit their very individual and personal needs.

It is my heartfelt hope that this capsulated summary of what I have learned throughout the years will help the novice, the more experienced player, parents with children, and the professional pianist sift through the sometimes confusing, mystifying and unfortunately at times annoying world of half truths, inexperienced opinions and outlandish sale pitches. My aim is to bring the reader to a hopefully saner place that allows the magnificent instruments to be enjoyed, recognized and appreciated for what they really are; beautiful works of art that can fill the soul with joy and inspiration for many generations. I know of few other material possessions that have the potential to enrich, uplift, inspire, motivate and oftentimes become entwined in the very essence of a person; for music has the power to do just that, and only a great instrument is capable of unlocking that power and impacting the musical soul at such a sublime level.

Welcome to my world of pianos. I hope you enjoy the scenery.

George Kolasis

N.B. The contents of this website very much reflect my individual opinions based on decades of experience, and these opinions are mine and mine alone. Also, it seems like the piano industry changes almost weekly, and I will try to be as diligent as possible to update which factory now owns whom, and which brand is now built where, and what the dealers are saying about this or that. I would welcome information from any experienced technician, piano teacher or concert artist that may have any new verifiable information to update the content. Please use the contact form on this site to contact me. If you are a dealer who carries the latest new offering from China, or represent a brand that I particularly didn't recommend or like, I make no apologies for telling it the way I see it. If you are a manufacturer that I haven't mentioned, it is most likely because your product has not been sold in large enough quantities as of yet to formulate an objective opinion. If you are a consumer and haven't seen the brand you are considering, there are more extensive piano guides that speak about each and every piano company in existence. That is not the purpose of this site. I concentrate either on companies that have a reputation for very high quality, and have the history and track record to back it up or other brands that are readily available in the Ontario region. I strive to be as objective and fair as possible. But I have formulated very firm opinions based on my experience. Although these pages represent only one man's opinion, it is my opinion for what that is worth.