The piano is a very interesting instrument. Not because it’s a horizontal harp covered in felt hammers, laying in a giant, 400-lb sarcophagus — that’s merely incidental. The  piano is interesting because it’s makes more noise, and generate more music, than any other instrument without being a major nuisance.

Sure, as soon as a Russian gets behind the piano all hell breaks loose, but they’re the exception — not the rule. Sit a German or an Italian behind a piano, or clavier, or organ, or harpsichord, or whatever you have laying around, and you’ll get something fantastic.