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Classical pianists are usually a lot more demanding of the piano they play than jazz pianists - not surprisingly, since classical music relies a lot more on voicing (in the classical sense - polyphonic strands in complex passages as well as chords) and tonal production, including of course fast, even passagework; and may choose a different piano (if they have the clout to do so), depending on the program they are playing.

In extreme cases, you have Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli touring Europe with his two Steinways - one for Beethoven, the other for Debussy. I couldn't discern much difference in their sounds per se when I attended that concert, but obviously he could, and he certainly adopted a different touch and articulation for the different composers (the Beethoven angular and abrasive, the Debussy all muted and pastel colors).

Watch the video/DVD 'Pianomania' to see Pierre-Laurent Aimard's long quest for a piano for his forthcoming Bach recording and concert, and almost driving his technician nuts with his demands.........

Joe - the "new" Pleyels? I thought Pleyel went out of business (several times). If they have resurrected this company with a performance-grade piano line, that's good news. If the new Pleyel is nothing but another consumer-grade "stencil brand", that's NOT good news.

Hi Alma,

Pleyel have gone out of business several times, and for a while Schimmel actually made Pleyel. Of course, they were Schimmel pianos with the Pleyel name, so they were actually quite good.

These days I believe that they are a fully hand built grand piano made in France, and they are very expensive. Perhaps they see themselves in the league of Fazioli or something. I haven't seen any of the most recent pianos.

Belsha, you have just given me another good reason to visit France!

In America, most Steingraeber models retail for much MORE than a comparably-sized Steinway (Hamburg or New York), Bluthner, Bechstein, Boesendorfer, Fazioli, etc.

Vive la France!

Anybody who has travelled the world, been to many trade shows, seen and played a great many pianos knows the situation: there's many great pianos out there.

Sometimes the landscape shifts a bit or a particular model by one maker leaves an indelible mark on one's mind but it's never just "one" nor does it stay that way.

Thinking that the discussion as in this thread should impress that "variety is spice of life" not as is naively presumed, eating steak and lobster every single day.

Those who keep writing about all kinds of makes and models without even knowing them, as seems to freqeuntly be the case here, are encouraged to do so.

It may give them the curious impression that once you played the "best of the best", another nice girl will be giving you soon the wink.

Final lesson to be learned: pianos can be as seductive as women....

Norbert

Replying to both of belsha's carefully considered and thoughtful posts (a relief from other's arch poses and crushing rejoinders) - one would have to say Amen to almost everything.

At the end of the day there is the Matterhorn of the occasional, well-regulated and evenly voiced Steinway D. It will always be the ultimate for most baby-boomer Americans. I have to say that it is for me. For those contemplating a career it has always been No.1 and I see no end in sight.

However, one might, quite privately prefer to LIVE with another sound world. Being an American, I love the tone of a vintage M&H. For an older generation it could well be a Chickering.

But I think that one discounts the Steingraeber at one's own risk. It might come from a provincial German house, but it is an extraordinary piano, no qualifications of any kind and the astounding thing is that the full range of both grands and even verticals all have distiction. The seductive quality of which our Norbert speaks is palpable.

Just my feeble opinion.

Karl Watson,
Staten Island, NY

I'm not sure that's all correct. At least when I did my hunt, Faziolis were running higher, and I'd be surprised if Steingraebers were retailing for MUCH more than Hamburg Steinways or Bosies. Bechsteins, yes.

Hmmm. I must have transposed some numbers in my spreadsheet.

I recalculated, and the Steingraeber models had a significantly higher Suggested Maximum Price in the latest "Piano Buyer" than did comparably-sized Steinways (both factories) and Bluthners. However, the Steingraebers, Bosendorfers, Bechsteins and Faziolis were more evenly matched.

Sorry about that.

When I looked for a piano for my home, I played about 50 different makes, models, Steingraeber 212 was my favorite, followed by a Grotrian 209.. they are too expensive though, so I got a Steinway B.

If Yamaha masters the TransAcoustic technology it might become a reality.

It is certainly not my HOPE.

I don't think I'm alone in my attitude toward acoustic pianos. Electronic STUFF, is just that - It is not a piano and pianos don't need switches.

I wouldn't mind owning a Steingraeber to add to my personal collection. I already have an August Forster 7', and a Steinway K though.