Los Angeles Chapter
February Meeting:
Date: Mon. 2/17/2025
Time: 2:00 pm -
evening
Location:
Precision
Piano
10426 W. Magnolia Blvd.
No. Hollywood 91601
It was great to see such a good turnout on January 20th for our day with Bechstein. We had at least 45 Guild members in attendance, with good group participation, thoughtful questions and useful discussion. Thanks again to Kim's Piano for hosting us. Thanks to Torben Garlin from Bechstein for his excellent presentation. Nice to have David Stoneman, RPT, Vice President of the PTG, with us as well as Lisa Weller, RPT, our Western Regional Vice President. And a special thank you to Kayoko Forrest, RPT, for all of the time she put in to make the event happen.
For our meeting in February our chapter will start in on the project of renovating the Steinway B which we assessed together in November. Under Franco Skilan's guidance (and roof) we will get to finally lay our hands on the patient. As we discussed at our initial evaluation of the piano, our first step will be the initial tear down phase of the instrument. Franco says we should get through the following processes:
"Action location and measurements for replacement keyset, keybed to string heights, preparing alignment holes for the installation of a new pinblock, de-stringing the instrument, removing and evaluating the plate, evaluating the current condition and installation of the replacement board and bridges (that were poorly installed 40-50 years ago on this piano), and taking measurements to relocate the new soundboard. Then if there is time, we will make a pattern of the existing pinblock and prepare to remove it."
A tall order! We will get through as much as we can that day. To that end, for those willing and able to show up for a half-day session, we will meet at Franco's shop at 2 pm and begin working. We will have a break for our usual meal at 6:30 pm, and then go for another hour or so during what is our normal meeting time.
This all happens on Monday, February 17 at Franco's shop, Precision Piano.
It's a wonderful chance to work together, sharing knowledge and sharpening our
skills. Come be a part of the fun.
At Mt. Vernon George Washington had a
Longman & Broderip two manual harpsichord. On Presidents' Day he surely would
smile down on us bringing a modern clavier back to life!
Finally, we have learned of the passing of Helga Kasimoff, a longtime fixture in the piano world here in Los Angeles. We send our condolences to the Kasimoff family and would like to share the following remembrance sent to us by Kyril:
As the sun was beginning to rise on January 3, 2025, our mother Helga Auguste Kasimoff passed away quietly and peacefully at the age of 93 in Los Angeles. She was born in Hannover Germany on July 24, 1931. For several months of care at various health facilities, she remained quite alert, cheerful, and witty despite her declining health. She, as always, shared her love for her family and friends and continued her engagement with the music community. She often expressed graciousness for her long life--thankful for the arts, beauty, her many travels, her family and every person that crossed her path. We remain heartened that those who have known her will remain touched if not filled with her beautiful spirit.
An announcement for a day of celebration of her life will be forthcoming.
The Kasimoff family: Serge, Vanya, and Kyril