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Piano technician Ulrich Gerhartz talks pianos in Brendel's last recorded conversation.

Ulrich Gerhartz is talking pianos with some of the greatest pianists of our age. Ulrich is Director of Concert and Artist Services at Steinway and Sons in London. For the last 30 years he’s been piano technician to the stars of the piano world. When they sit down at a keyboard, it's his job to ensure that these top musicians have the best instrument possible set up for their particular taste and touch.

Great pianists take Ulrich on tour; into recording studios; and to the world’s finest concert halls. Tuning is a small part of what he does as he spends hours preparing each piano to suit each performer.

This conversation between Alfred Brendel and Ulrich which took place at Brendel’s home in March of this year, turned out to be his last recorded interview.

Alfred Brendel was Ulrich’s mentor as a piano technician. He taught him what a performer wants and needs from a piano, and this knowledge has gone on to inform Ulrich’s whole career. Their professional relationship started at the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Proms in 1991 and finished with Brendel’s final concert in Vienna in 2008. Their friendship continued up until Brendel’s death at the age of 94 on 17th June this year.

Haydn: Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50: 3. Allegro molto
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat, Op. 83: II. Allegro appassionato
Beethoven: Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2 III. Allegro – Allegro fugato
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935: No. 1 in F Minor: Allegro moderato
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110 - I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
J.S. Bach: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659

Producer: Rosie Boulton
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