GREAT EXPECTATIONS
In Mary Wollaston, a novel by Henry Kitchell Webster published in 1920, a young man called Anthony March wins the heart of the story’s title character through his physique and intellect – and ability to tune a grand piano. It’s hard to imagine a piano tuner being the hero of a romantic story today, but in the real world, these skilled professionals with their keen ears and almost magical skills don’t need to be a brainy beefcake to impress.
Who hasn’t listened with growing anticipation in an adjoining room as the tuner painstakingly revives our piano? And then, when their work is done, dashed to the instrument to play, inspired by its refreshed tones?
It makes you wonder why so many of us allow months to pass between tunings. In less than two
