The Collectors
SEARCH
Episode 37, Friday 24 October 2008
watch entire episode 
download segment videos
Peter Hudson is a professional piano tuner who claims he can only play one tune, though we think he is being unduly modest. But he certainly can collect!
He has a glockenspiel, a harmonium, a rare hand-cranked street piano and dozens of other keyboards, including his favourite 105 year-old Beale, made in Sydney, which has never been restored but still plays beautifully. He has scores of piano miniatures, music boxes, and a philosophy:
“it’s more fun when you can’t afford it, because you just have to work harder to get the piece you desperately want.”
His house is absolutely crammed with pianos and countless other musical instruments, and while his wife doesn’t collect she is entirely supportive of his disease, as he describes it. He is a happy man.
