Paul Tunzi has been a longtime annual guest lecturer in the Topics in Performance Practice unit at the Conservatorium of Music, UWA. His engaging style of delivery and ability to deliver a real-life listening experience of historical temperaments never fails to make a huge impression on students, who often comment how much they enjoy his lecture in the unit.
Paul’s deep knowledge of historical keyboard instruments, temperaments, and keyboard tuning - both academic and practical - is peerless in Australia and we have been privileged to have him share that with our students at UWA.
Rather, it embodies the magic which the true performer can release through an understanding of the piano’s character and personality, and to this end, through lectures and workshops, he is educating the musical community in the many implications of quality care for the home, studio and concert instrument.
Emeritus Professor David Tunley AM
Australian musicologist and composer
Paul has worked at the highest end of the music industry for many years, and is continually engaging internationally in new programs to expand his already impressive skill set. He has been the piano technician at WAAPA for several decades and his commitment, versatility, knowledge, advice and musicality is highly valued.
I have witnessed him at work with some of the best pianists in the world, and he always prepares the highest standard of piano that is possible. He is an experienced piano re-conditioner and has restored many fine pianos to their former glory.
I have no hesitation in recommending Paul for any tuning, technical work or advice relating to pianos.
Paul inspires those around him. He consistently reveals the skill and intelligence to problem solve. He is resourceful, practical and (most importantly) musically sensitive.
Paul is a deeply compassionate and calmly secure individual, who is never self-serving at the expense of others. His empathy and mature vulnerability not only explain why he is respected by his peers and by keyboard players working at the highest national and international professional levels, but also go a long way to explain the finesse of his work.
Paul Tunzi is the sort of piano technician/tuner who brings passion-driven dedication and high-quality expertise to each and every keyboard instrument that he encounters. Australian musicians are greatly blessed to have a person of the calibre of Paul Tunzi in their professional midst.
Geoffrey Lancaster AM
Australian classical pianist and conductor
Looking back to the late 1990s, there were few professional venues that were easily accessible to musicians (with quality professional pianos). Over time, Perth has seen various establishments as well as secondary and tertiary institutions come to fruition with their substantial acoustic and instrument specifically chosen for that venue. For the majority Paul has been the one to choose these instruments, and to continue servicing them lovingly, so that we as performers are able to select a venue with confidence, knowing the work that has gone into every part of the instrument, from voicing to aligning every interval so that each sound is as it should be.
Personally, I always feel a sense of relief knowing I'm about to perform on a piano that Paul has serviced. I have only the utmost respect for someone who has so enriched our community over so many years. May there be many more!
Paul's unique experience, position and skills have enabled him to generously assist in sourcing pianos and giving advice to many of Western Australia's community groups.
We cannot endorse his work more highly.
Faith Maydwell
MusM UWA, LMusA
Anthony Maydwell
MAUWA, DSCM(Teacher), DSCM(Performer), GradDipEd Sydney University, AMusA
Perth offers both great venues and great pianos, beautifully prepared for performance thank to technicians like Paul Tunzi.
For the Perth Festival Paul prepared instruments for artists across a wide variety of genres. He sourced and prepared Steinways for Chick Corea for his Five Peace Band performance outdoors at Kings Park, harpsichords for Richard Egarr with the Academy of Ancient Music, Faziolis for Angela Hewitt and - in a feat of technical accomplishment and sheer tuning tenacity - five concert grands by four different manufacturers for the Perth premiere of Simeon ten Holt’s magnum opus Canto Ostinato. This last project would have been unthinkable without Paul’s creativity, total dedication and generosity of spirit.
I am very grateful that over these years Paul Tunzi has become a good friend and much-trusted colleague, whose sage advice is often sought and always generously given. With his encouragement and quiet but authoritative words of wisdom, he truly helped turn my sometimes outlandish musical dreams (or half-formed visions!) into rewarding, exciting musical realities.
Evan Kennea
Executive Manager, Artistic Planning
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
This is a fact: it might create expectations on pianists who might feel disappointed if faced to a piano not satisfying them. In this sense, technicians who prepare pianos and guarantee the efficiency of the instrument itself are primarily important for the gratification of pianists themselves while performing in concert. This importance of disposing of excellent technicians is even deeper for young generations of pianists trying an international competition, where they might have the opportunity to choose a brand among several different ones.
My experience in Australia - I performed three times in Perth, both in solo recital and chamber music programs - was absolutely fine from this point of view. I had a grand piano Fazioli, very fine instrument perfectly prepared by Paul Tunzi who was able to listen to my wishes and requests and accomplished all of them even better than expected, if possible.
I would love to always find excellent technicians such as Mr Tunzi during my tours.
Maurizio Baglini
www.mauriziobaglini.com
Since I’ve had the piano artists enjoying it’s qualities include Chick Corea, Diana Krall, Joe Chindamo, Graham Wood, Tom O’Halloran, Tal Cohen, Tommaso Pollio, David Wickham, Marilyn Phillips, Jangoo Chapkhana, Adam Pinto and Alex Sunman.
Lee Buddle
Producer/Engineer, Composer/Arranger
Crank Recording/Sound Mine
Exert from ADDRESS BY
HER EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE KERRY SANDERSON AC
The Competition developed a close working relationship with Paul during the most recent Competition in 2016. The level of expertise and commitment given, ensuring that the instrument was at its optimum playing level, was extraordinary. His craftsmanship complimented the personal support given to the young competitors from around the world that were reliant on the mastery of Paul’s skill.
In fairness and equal treatment of all young artists during the Competition, the service provided by Paul fully aligned with the expectations of the Competition.
Marcus Barker
Chief Executive Sydney International Piano Competition