The pianist Heidrun Bergander decided to fly me over to Catalunya to prepare her Tuinman fortepiano for a concert in Conca de Barbera. Early instruments have much lighter stringing than modern pianos – and so are much less stable in their tuning.

The pianist Heidrun Bergander with yours truly

Heidrun and the singer Cristina Ruiz

However, this lovely copy of a Walter 1805 fortepiano took the 1 hour journey and adjusting to the atmosphere within the walls of this medeival castle and re-adjusting to the heat of the lights and audience….and only needed tuning twice more before it gave a perfect performance!