I am a retired neuropsychiatrist, German of birth 1943, with passage through Brasil 22 years :: [Conservatoire to top, medical school 1962-67, married 1968 a University Nurse 7 years older - 1936 - from Ico, north-east Brazil, children Guenther 1969 SP and Marianna Olivia 1970 HD,Germ.]
Back to Heidelberg 1970/1, Dingleton 1971/3, Morningside 1973/5, finally York 1975 to 1999.
Had several pianos: Schiedmayer upright 1954 to 2000; Bluethner first clcass upright since 2000,
Bechstein A built during First Word War, 1913, previous owners unknown, bought 1981 and restored
in part = regulation + timber repair, all bass strings + general appearance.
I cherish this piano almost more than my life. Due to brain disease since birth, a very rare autosomal dominant genetic fault known since the days of Schwann - 1850s - and also linked to neurofibromatosis, I never seemed to attain the same technical agility I wanted - sort of like the Schumann finger and dreadful 'self-correction'. I am strong and will persevere, going through 'old' repertoire and 'first time played on piano' pieces.
For this I shall request the entire Free List of sheet music, through the Post.
Bechstein Grand owners, UNITE ! It is, in my opinion, the best piano ever built.
Hans-Martin Klar, pan-european, now London