Piano Consulting by James Boyk Endorsements of Competence
From David L. Abell:
I have been in the piano business for almost 50 years. During these years I have had the pleasure of selling and renting pianos to many of the great artists in Southern California. I have provided pianos for many of the finest recording studios as well as providing instruments for concert occasions, and for the personal use of many thousands of customers over the years. I have been President of the San Fernando Valley Symphony Association, Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Jazz Society and recently had a Music magnet at a local high school named after me. My opinion has been sought as expert witness in court, as an expert in appraising instruments for the musicians union and well as by many banks and insurance companies. I have maintained relationships with many of the finest piano technicians in Southern California and believe my opinion is respected in all circles.I have known Jim Boyk since his student days with the great teacher Aube Tzerko, where Jim was considered a prized student. I have seen him mature as a pianist. I enjoy his musical interpretations. I have come to know him over the years as a dedicated pianist interested in the mechanics of the piano, with great insight into the construction of instruments. I recently introduced him to Mr. Paolo Fazioli, whose piano I am most proud to represent. Jim had some most insightful comments and discussions with Mr. Fazioli. I believe some of his observations and suggestions may be introduced in the Fazioli pianos. Jim has made a great study of the relationship of the quality of piano parts and construction, certainly as it relates to the artist achieving the maximum performance from the instrument via the relationship with the piano technician. I believe Jim Boyk to be uniquely well-qualified to judge and determine the quality of a technician and his work. I have seen few musicians as well versed and articulate in presenting and discussing musical-technical issues with the most adept and competent technician.
In conclusion I believe Jim Boyk to be unique in the music industry in being able to evaluate and judge the quality of a piano technician, the piano and its condition, as well as its performance capability. Truly a very rare individual to understand and be able to articulate the many gray areas of the piano.
David L. Abell
David L. Abell Fine Pianos
Los Angeles
From Ken Brown:
As chief piano tuner/technician of the Concert & Artist department for the local Steinway dealer, I have had the pleasure of working with and for Mr. Boyk from 1966 through1997.In taking care of the C&A pianos used by Mr. Boyk and other artists, as well as his personal Steinway grand and the grand piano in Dabney Lounge [at Caltech], I have found Mr. Boyk to have a thorough knowledge of tuning, action and tone regulation. His understanding of the instrument and his ability to communicate the requirements of a particular musical work allow the technician to prepare the piano to concert readiness.
In my opinion, his technical knowledge plus his abilities as a concert performer eminently qualify him in all aspects of piano care.
Kenyon Brown
Piano Tuner/Technician
Steinway Concert Technician for Los Angeles for 25 Years
From Robert Koning:
I've had the pleasure to work with Mr. James Boyk and prepared different 9-foot Steinways [for his use.] I've heard him play informally and in concert, and have had long discussions with him about pianos and their care. Mr. Boyk impressed me with his great knowledge and also his excellent sensitivity to adjustments of the action. As a pianist, especially his wonderful pianissimo is unforgettable. The article he wrote in Scientific American shows a deep understanding of a piano-technician's task. In my opinion, Mr. Boyk is an ideal person to supervise piano care.I've been at USC for two years. Before that, I worked for 20 years in Switzerland and all over Europe, working with all kinds of world-famous performers including pianist Alexis Weissenberg, Krystian Zimerman, Martha Argerich and many others. As concert technicians, we won a company award from the Steinway Hamburg factory for excellent work.... This award has been given only twice worldwide. As an adviser, I have also worked with the Fazioli piano factory in Italy, and have been in piano maintenance for almost 30 years.
Robert Koning
Chief Piano Technician
University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
From Horace Greeley:
Another technician wrote to a discussion group: I wouldn't want to bet that a pianist could pick out notes that had 2 grams less friction in the hammer flange!Horace Greeley--a well-regarded concert technician and tuner--responded: Actually, I have worked with several and know of a few more. People who can with whom I have directly worked include: Menachem Pressler, John Perry, Jim Boyk, Alfred Brendel, Anton Kuerti, a couple of others. People who have been reported to me as being able to include Moravec and Richter.
Jim Boyk, who has been Artist in Residence at Caltech for roughly 30 years can not only accurately detect variations of less than 2 gms between keys, he can also accurately describe jack placement under the knuckle to +/- <0.5mm. This is very scary the first time one encounters it....