Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037

Aroview: A ‘making of’ documentary in the most literal sense, this follows the production process of a hand-crafted grand piano, as it passes down the 'assembly line' of the skilled craftspeople at the legendary Steinway company in Queens, New York.

Through each painstaking stage of development, we are introduced to the succession of proud (and increasingly rare) craftspeople whose lives prove to be as varied and as specialized as their particular skill. In perfect accord are those passionate souls that are prepared to spend the US$25,000 on such an instrument, and their stories (and musical interludes) are flush with insight and inspiration. A glorious film where high art meets the dignity of labour, this is a salivating, almost fetishistic, experience for piano lovers, and also those with a finely-tuned appreciation of craft and detail.

NZ International Film Festival 2008