Morning Briefing: A Pianist’s Dilemma and the Impact of Trump’s Election

Good morning. It’s Thursday. Today, we will explore the journey of a concert pianist’s treasured instrument after relocating from Paris to New York. Additionally, we’ll examine the potential implications of Donald Trump’s recent presidential election victory on New York City.

Julian Gargiulo is currently a piano man without a piano. This talented concert pianist and composer, who recently made the move to New York in August following nearly a decade in Paris, humorously labels himself as “the pianist with the hair,” a moniker that puts Howard Stern’s hairstyle to shame.

Before departing from Europe, Gargiulo took the necessary steps to have his beloved Steinway grand piano—an instrument he has cherished since he was just 14 years old—shipped to him. The piano successfully arrived at Port Newark and was subsequently sent to a warehouse. However, an unexpected complication arose when the keys were removed from the piano.

The issue stems from the fact that Gargiulo’s piano features ivory keys. These keys are actually constructed from wood, with delicate pieces of ivory affixed to the surface. Upon attempting to claim his piano, Gargiulo was informed by the federal Fish and Wildlife Service that he could not do so as long as the ivory coverings remained intact. The agency cited a ban on the importation of ivory as the reason for their refusal.

Gargiulo expressed his frustration, noting that while the agency was adhering strictly to the letter of the law, they were overlooking its intended spirit. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that blocking a pianist from shipping his piano as part of his household move back to the United States is not what the ivory ban was ever intended for,” he remarked.

A spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Service stated that they are unable to comment on specific cases, leaving Gargiulo to navigate this bureaucratic labyrinth in hopes of reuniting with his cherished instrument.