>>> 1) Re-design of the user interface making it less sophisticated: less icons, smarter functionallity grouping, etc...)


Have you tried the existing configuration options? For example, you can customize the icons on the toolbar to show/hide icons (click arrow key at right of toolbar). In addition, they are floatable/dockable.

Also, you can change toolbar size/text and hide piano window, Prefs-Display


Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.