Where is the best piano to record my project?
While at his 'day' job where he runs Operations for Boston Organ & Piano or when performing in clubs & halls around New England John Totaro is often asked 'Where is the best piano in the area for me to record my next project'? Totaro, an accomplished songwriter, arranger, record producer, recording artist answers, 'At my place, Piano & Instrument Recording'.The best part about the facility, which is nestled on a cul-de-sac abutting Rocky Woods, one of Massachusetts Trustees & Reservations Forests, is the actual piano, a Yamaha S Series Concert Grand. Yamaha Corporation specifically selected the piano to send to Great Woods Performing Arts Center (now known as The Tweeter Center) where it was used on stage for Great Wood's Classical Concert Series in 1987. The piano was maintained during the summer concert series by Totaro's company Boston Organ & Piano. When the series was over the piano was brought to Boston Organ & Piano and placed on the showroom floor right outside of Totaro's office. The piano was for sale. Each day Totaro would play the piano and in the end he could not resist. He bought the piano. It is a hand-made Yamaha S400B, which is a very rare European-voiced Yamaha. The Yamaha S pianos are so rare that it is true that most pianists have never played one. The piano is 6'3" and it has been in Totaro's private collection of instruments since he acquired it in 1987
State of the art digital recording
From solo demo work to multi-tracked master ready (solo or ensemble) work. John Totaro and his partner Sound Engineer Sean McGough have produced many hundreds of hours of music which have received commercial & college airplay
Sound engineer - Sean McGough
Sean has recorded hundreds of sessions logging in thousands of hours. A much in demand recording engineer but also an accomplished songwriter, record producer, graphic design specialist. Sean McGough & John Totaro have been working together for 15 years producing records; television shows; music videos, and live events
Production
Many clients use Piano & Instrument Recording because of the reputation of the actual piano. These clients know exactly what they want to record and our job is to record their performances
However other clients need a producer to pull the finest arrangement, performance, and ideas out of the artist. John Totaro is the producer of many of our projects and looks forward to working with you on yours. The 4 samples of music above were all produced by Totaro and recorded at Piano & Instrument Recording
Okay, the recording is done. Now what?
When you record at Piano & Instrument Recording you will leave each session with a CD of that session. Many clients find this CD to be all that they came to record. However other clients want full scale retail ready compact discs. Not a problem!
CD Artwork
Sean McGough has a long resume of CD art projects many of which were creating all of the visuals for retail ready CDs. McGough is available to do 100% of the CD art or walk you through what needs to be done from liner notes to sequencing to CD mass production. There is no part of the recording that both Totaro & McGough of Piano & Instrument Recording have not done many times before
Applied piano guidance - Nino Tianeli
Also available for sessions is pianist Nino Tianeli. Ms. Tianeli obtained a Masters and Post Graduate Degree from Tbilisi State Conservatory in The Republic of Georgia; an Artist Diploma from Texas Conservatory University; a Graduate Diploma from New England Conservatory of Music where she later taught. Tianeli, winner of International Piano Competitions, and an accomplished piano instructor is also a recording artist in both classical & pop genres. Ms. Tianeli is helpful to clients who wish to benefit from her expertise and coaching while they recordNino Tianeli & John Totaro on the cover of their 2007 CD release.
Vocalists
Ms. Tianeli, is also available for ensemble work or accompaniment
Internet
It used to be that one records a CD and then shops the CD to the recording industry in hopes of landing a recording contract and distribution. Now artists from entry level to seasoned pros sell their own music via on-line stores and their own web sites
See a sample of this at John Totaro's site www.JohnTotaro.com
Whether you are a student in need of a professional recording or an accomplished artist looking to record another CD all of us at Piano & Instrument Recording look forward to working with you on your upcoming project.
