UC PIANO INVENTION MAKES MUSIC HALL DEBUT

Cincinnati -- A new technique for rebuilding pianos developed in UC's College-Conservatory of Music made an unexpected, but highly successful debut, during a performance by pianist Barry Douglas at Cincinnati's Music Hall April 24.

Douglas first learned about the technology, known as the WAPIN bridge, while visiting CCM in 1997 and testing out a rebuilt 1929 Steinway grand. He returned to Cincinnati last month for a concert with the Cincinnati Symphony and didn't like the feel of the pianos available. So, the symphony management requested that the 1929 Steinway be moved to Music Hall for his performances that night and the following night. The management had heard enough good things about the piano invention from previous artists who had tried the technology that they decided to take the risk.

The college quickly agreed to the emergency loan, and WAPIN technology was on its way to Music Hall. CCM piano technician Michael Wathen, a co-inventor of the technology, spent several hours at Music Hall over the weekend to make sure everything was working smoothly before the performances.

Music critics for both local newspapers were effusive in their praise for Douglas's performance. The Cincinnati Post, for example, reported that "Douglas scored a knockout" with his performance. One of the advantages of the WAPIN technology is an increased "sustain" which makes it easier for audiences in large halls to hear and enjoy the piano's sound.

More than 20 licensing agreements have been signed with rebuilders from as far away as Hawaii and Italy to use the WAPIN technology.