The Ship of Theseus & An Introduction to Conservation and Restoration of Historical Pianos

By Ken Eschete

A composite image of a historical fortepiano sitting on the shore beside a ship in shallow water.

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When a historical piano is rebuilt, is it still the same piano or does it become something else? "Theseus' Ship" is an ancient philosophical thought experiment that questions whether an object remains fundamentally the same if all of its components are gradually replaced.

About Ken Eschete

Ken Eschete, RPT is a Steinway-trained piano technician and aural tuner. He is also the only PTG-RPT that is a Professional Associate, of the American Institute of Conservation. He introduced B-72 into the piano world.

As the Director of Keyboard Maintenance at Northwestern University for 15 years, Ken honed his skills by working with piano faculty and visiting artists, including YoYoMa, Daniel Barenboim, Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, Yefim Bronfman, Andre Watts, Stephen Hough, Misha Dichter, and Renée Fleming.
 
Now based in Spokane, WA., Ken offers complete services including piano tuning, regulation, voicing, repairs, complete restoration, and action balancing. Ken holds the highest level of membership in the Piano Technicians Guild and is a frequent lecturer at the PTG National Institute.
 
Ken’s restoration work can be found at the Smithsonian Institution, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, NY, and the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia, WA.
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