Canadian pianist and educator Jon Kimura Parker conducted a piano
performance master class last year at Portland State University.
On the stage were two apparently identical Kawai grand pianos (7-foot
model RX-6, I believe).

Parker had played both pianos before the class began.  During the class
he demonstrated a fortissimo passage on one piano and asked the student
to play the passage on the other piano.  The student gave it his best
shot but fell short of the dynamics of the master teacher.  Parker then
exchanged pianos with the student and had him try again; this time the
student produced much better dynamic range.

Parker's comment was, "That piano can handle it, this one can't!"

John Rhodes

 [ More about Jon Kimura Parker at http://www.kimura.com/  -- Robbie