Walter Haas arrived bright and early this last Saturday 20th June. He is in Singapore as usual to prepare the piano for the annual Singapore International Piano Festival. This year the Festival returns to the beautifully refurbished Victoria Concert Hall. I will be attending Imogen Cooper’s recital on Thursday 25th June.
First thing he did was of course to tune the piano. This took quite a while because it was punctuated by lots of chatting and a nice cup of coffee. There wasn’t much to be done at all. The action is still silky smooth, and the hammers in great shape. But then I have not played all that much because I’ve been too busy. And yet, despite the relatively light use, all but one of the inharmonic strings has ‘broken in’. The sole recalcitrant is one strong in the note just above the highest break, and even that was not so bad.
His verdict? The piano has settled in very well. The tone is rich and glorious, the sustain beautiful. Ideal for chamber music, he declared.
Walter by the way tunes a mild Well temperament, not that far away from the EBVT III that I tune myself. We both agree that Equal is probably the least sympathetic temperament. No key colour.
No pictures this time. I was so absorbed talking to him that I completely forgot to take any!
The Piano Chronicles 
Hi Digitus,
May I have Alvin’s contact from Raffles piano? I am trying to contact him to test drive the Sauter.
Thanks!
Hi Vincent!
I just spoke to Alvin. Here is his mobile number: +65 9452-8618.
/B
Hi Digitus,
Many years back I came across your blog (or was it the piano forum, can’t remember) and got to know the Sauter brand. Well, we have the Masterclass for a good 7 years now. I’m no player but fortunately my child has progressed enough and is now able to bring out the music from the piano.
The piano sounds as magnificent as before. In fact, I thought it sounds even better now (maybe my child’s playing has improved, haha). I think both wkzit and you are great ambassadors for this brand in Singapore.
Out of curiosity, where’s the present showroom located?
Hi Digitus,
Many years back, I came across your blog (or was it that PW S’pore piano thread, can’t really remember) and discovered the Sauter brand. Well, we have the Masterclass for a good 7 years now.
It still sounds as magnificent as before. Actually I think it sounds even better now (maybe my child’s playing has improved, haha). I’m no player but my child has progressed and is now starting to bring out the music from the piano.
Wkzit and you (and of course Alvin) influenced my buying decision then. You guys are good ambassadors for the brand.
Does Alvin still have a showroom after the reno in Victoria Theatre?
First of all, I apologise for approving your comment so long after you posted. Some emails started to get sent to my spam folder after a change of email client!
And thank you for your kind words. That the Masterclass sounds better is not in your mind!
Alvin still represents Sauter. His showroom is at 2 Sin Ming Road, #01-08.