During the Autumn season, I had been away nearly each weekend playing with different orchestras. Other than the Grieg Concerto, it had been concerts with the commissioning orchestras of Lowell Liebermann's Third Concerto. Each orchestra played the concerto so well. Since the beginning of this month, each weekend in a different city, with a different concerto, has been interesting. The pianos are so different, and I work closely with the technician on the phone and in person. I try to ask for little and be as easy as possible, after all, they live with their instruments year 'round. It also depends on what the repertoire is. Milwaukee was Prokofiev 3, Alabama was Leroy Anderson, and in Charleston now with Rachmaninov 3. First rehearsal and dress in same day today coming up. I was given a choice between a Yamaha and a Steinway--but two weeks ago, without being able to try both. I was told the Steinway had water damage from Hurricane Hugo. They've put alot of money into repairing it, and for Rach 3, I am accustomed to the general Steinway action, the feel, the way to produce sound etc. I was happy to say that when I met David Stahl yesterday to go over the concerto (fantastic musician and conductor!), the only issues for this Steinway are the una corda pedal, which needs less play on top before contact with the shifting begins, and the octave above middle c to be voiced down on the left side of the hammers. Not bad. This is the toughest part of the traveling from place to place, and making sure the piano is up to snuff, and able to respond and work with you as an artist in everything you have worked so hard for your whole life. In two weeks, it will be Lowell Liebermann's Third Concerto in Key West-now how do they maintain an instrument there? I will find out soon. Looking forward to spending quality time at home in between with my wife and sons.