Restoration of keyboard instruments in Russia: historical aspect

Abstract

The article describes the historical causes of qualified keyboard restorers shortage in Russia and the origins of modern low-quality restoration. Before 1918 there were certain methods of piano restoration and repair in existence which did not follow the principle of historicism. This was due to process of formation and development of the two professionally unequal groups — piano makers and tuners-repairmen — having different backgrounds, purposes and opportunities for the restoration. Methods of piano makers and craftsmen of 19th — early 20th centuries mainly consisted in the modernization and renovation. New frames, soundboards, new action types installed in the old keyboards, their appearance also has changed. As a result of these works thousands of pianos of the 18th — early 19th centuries were remade. After the nationalization of piano factories and the closure of workshops, similar works stopped. Group of tuners-repairmen, pursuing commercial purposes, were engaged in elimination of defects and appearance restoration. During the Soviet period, lack of unified system of keyboards restorers training and use of low-quality materials minimized a positive effect of restoration methods inherited from the second group. Today, for rescue of the perishing ancient pianos, it is necessary to build an interdisciplinary methodological basis, training of new keyboards restorers.