It's said that you save 50% energy when you're satisfied with 90% of perfection - this film is about the last ten percent.

Eighty-eight keys, 230 strings on a cast iron frame, a weight of 480 kilograms - Steinway Pianos technician Stefan Knüpfer works with these ingredients to seek the elusive ‘best sound'.

Pianomania centres around Stefan's collaboration with concert pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard for the recording of Bach's The Art of Fugue, using the concert grand NR 109 - a long odyssey in sound for these two men. As the filmmakers attest, “Our film describes that threshold that does not facilitate daily life, but enables great art.”

Featuring pianists Lang Lang, Julius Drake and Alfred Brendel.

“I wouldn't say neurotic… I would say special.” - Stefan Knüpfer describing his clients