Perri,
Is that you and Marlene playing at the intro to your website?

it's me and marlene's distant cousin in new york.

Just finished the book in less than a week! Really wonderful. Now I understand why I love pianos so much. My parents could never understand why I was so facinated by different instruments(They think their old untuned Lester Console in the living room is as good as it gets) On my 3rd piano since 1996 (Petrof 131 now, some kind of big grand is my next goal). Great reading!

Among all the terrific things about Pique's book, perhaps the most wonderful (for me, also a professional writer):

She had faith in her unique idea, worked hard, saw things through, and has seen the successful realization of her concept.

All this should give us confidence to pursue our ideas and dreams ....

BTW, read through my copy twice and it's even better the second time around!

I'm glad Woody asked that question. It made me go back and listen. I recognize that Chopin prelude, and your playing is lovely, Pique.

Went to grandobsession.com and listened to the music playing when the site comes up ... beautiful and heartfelt playing by Pique!

Perri,
I just completed your book and wanted to say thanks. It's nice to know that other people can feel things the same way you do. Two questions if I may.
1. When do your fans get to experience you and Marlene?
2. Can you still tear-up when the two of you play?

Hi, Perri:

I've been meaning to post for some time. Sorry it's taken so long.

Lloyd and I both have finished reading your book. I don't know that I can put into words any better what so many people here are saying, so I'll just say: WAY TO GO, PIQUE: IT'S TERRIFIC!

Congratulations! I wish you much success with your book and Lloyd and I send our regards to you, your husband and.....Marlene!



Jeanne W

P.S. Anyone who is thinking of buying a piano, YOU HAVE TO TRY A GROTRIAN!

Jeanne... In case you haven't already noticed the latest update for Piqué's spring touring schedule, check this out!

Pique, great book! Congratulations on all the well deserved praise. Fantastic accomplishment!

Hi Perri,

Are you still making book appearances and if so, any plans for hitting San Francisco? You probably came here already, but I missed you.

Steve

Pique, you should know that I walked into Beethoven pianos today. Carl was there (didn't recognize me despite selling me a piano and working on it extensively and moving it twice.)

Before I walked out, Carl was selling your book to me. It was sitting right on the desk and of course I knew what was coming as soon as he said "You might like to read..."

"Yes, I read it.."

He proudly informed me that the book had made people cry.

He was really like a proud papa.

Could someone - piqué perhaps? - please remind me which Chopin waltz Perri repeatedly played during her quest to find the piano of her dreams? I don't have my copy of 'Grand Obsession' with me right now.

Thanks in advance
cruiser

I'm quite sure that it was the B minor waltz - that was a memorable detail of the book for me because it's the piece that I often play when I try out a new piano. (And the Chopin waltz mentioned on the first page of the book is one that I'm working on learning right now!)

Carol

Is that Pinkus Zukerman's wife that wrote the Washington Post review? I'm sure she played the flute...

hi, all, i'm home after 2 1/2 weeks away (and not near the internet), i'll be back in a little while to respond to the above... but yes, the chopin B-minor waltz and yes i think she is pinchas' wife.

more in a bit...

skip,
thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the book. if you feel so moved, why not review the book on its amazon page? (see link to amazon in the right hand column of the forums page on pw). five-star reviews still being accepted!

anne and pianodevo, thanks for the compliments on my playing. it is a mirage, a sleight of hand, achieved by recording engineer lou brown, who graciously edited my takes. and i owe a lot to the beauty of that piano. the sustain on it is incredible.

woody, thank *you*. i am so appreciative that you let me know you enjoyed the book. i am working on setting up my next round of appearances this very week, and there are definite dates in denver, seattle, san francisco/marin, boston, connecticut, and maybe also SC, NYC, and chicago.

i will post the details here as soon as they are final.

well, denver is all set up for march 29-april 1, i'll be at the ABE booth at the MTNA convention in denver.

and i'll be reading at classical grands in seattle on April 15th.

and i'll be reading at JB Pianos in San Rafael, CA, on April 18th. is that close enough for you, steve? there may also be an event in the city of SF.

and i'll be at the mason & hamlin tour and larry buck's shop in mid-may, and also at the frederick collection event, that's the weekend of may10--monday, may 12th.

more details to come on all of the above, plus more in the works.

jeanne, i am so looking forward to meeting you and lloyd at last in may. i hope you can make it to at least some of the events frank and larry and terry have planned.

also, if you want to write a review for amazon...



that goes for any of you who feel so moved.

thanks for the feedback, horace! it's good to know.

doogs, thank you so much for sharing that encounter with carl with me. carl is very dear to me, and it is very moving to read what you wrote.

carol, good luck with the valse brilliante! i'm nowhere near approaching that one, and i envy you.

No. Pinchas Zuckerman's wife plays the cello, and her name is Amanda Forsyth. They played the Brahms Violin & Cello concerto with the Colorado Symphony earlier this year. The conductor got an eye infection so Pinchas also conducted!

Incidentally he grunts -- loudly -- on occasion while conducting.

Any chance of a reading at a store while you're in Denver?

it turns out that there are no venues available. but if you'd like to suggest one, or can arrange one...

i will be signing books at the ABE booth, rockley music will have it for sale at their booth, and grotrian will also have copies on display.

Too bad about the venues. I can't arrange any but the ones that I can think of are Rockley Music, Onofrio Piano (Joe Onofrio), or if you can get out of the city there's Chris Finger in Niwot about 30 minutes out of town (he's the Grotrian dealer in the area).

gabe, rockley wanted to host one in their store, or in their booth, but the store won't work because all the traffic is at the convention center. and the booth won't work for various other reasons.

but at least i will be there, books will be available for sale, and i can sign them for people and meet people.

to have a reading at the convention, i would have had to alert MTNA almost a year ago. the book wasn't even finished at that time.

it is going to be reviewed in the MTNA magazine, and maybe i can do a reading for the convention next year in atlanta. but we shall see....

Ah, well, if I can sneak into the convention I'll be sure to say hi.

gabe, i don't think you need to sneak, but i could be wrong. and if so, maybe we could meet for coffee after i'm done for the day, one of the days.

piqué,

Yes, y'all come down south where the greetings are warm and winters are mild (compared to Montana Winters). Altanta would work for a lot of us. Can we at least pencil you in?

woody,
atlanta is more than a year away, but it is looking like i'm going to be in the vicinity of charleston during the spoleto festival this coming may. some folks near litchfield beach are working on setting up an event.

more to come, when i have some definites.

Sorry to interrupt, but ... Eugenia is Pinchas' EX-wife. They divorced many years ago. She does play the flute.

Now go back to the topic ...

Well, that explains it, thanks!

Hopefully I will be able to sneak/stroll brazenly into MTNA & pop in for a visit.

Pique,

Being a New York City kid, and barely recognizing San Francisco as an urban oasis, I usually avoid the suburbs like the plague. However, since I enjoyed your book so much and have many common interests, I will be happy to cross the Golden Gate to see you in San Rafael. I look forward to it.

Thanks,
Steve

Can the Seattle date, Tuesday, April 15th info be put up on the "What's Hot" box? I'd like to see it get the attention it deserves!

Perhaps there are other cities coming up too, I would appreciate knowing about them, as I have other music teaching friends around the country, and would love to direct them to these events.

Thanks,

Betty

betty, i'll ask frank to do that just as soon as he returns from florida.

and i'll be listing all the upcoming events just as soon as they are finalized.