Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum An experience with Petrof model 4

Yesterday we visited Richmond near Vancouver. To pass some time we went to visit a
piano dealer.They sell Kawai mainly although it looks as if you could order Ronisch pianos
from Germany,not sure ?They also sell new Heintzman pianos and a few digital pianos.
Among the new pianos there are also used pianos such as occasional Bösendorfer ,old and "authentic "Heintzman pianos ,Petrof and even some Yamaha pianos.
The manager asked if I would like to try a Petrof grand 5'8"model 4.It was 17 or 18 years old according to the serial number.So I tried a Schumann piece and was immediately overwhelmed
by an incredibly beautiful tone.The touch response was so sensitive I could play very softly
or I could easily open the tone right up.,yet always keeping the sound exactly as I wished.
The tone is a beautiful European tone and reminded me of an August Forster with its perfect
clarity.I for some reason thought that Petrof were not quite equal to some of the really important
European pianos .So I left the store after playing a number of pieces feeling confused and yes as
though I had fallen for a piano I never really thought much of !
The price for this incredible instrument is only $17,000 CAD

Here is an example on Living Pianos of the tone I heard.
It is about the nearest example I could find to what I
experienced regarding the tone of the Petrof model 4.

https://youtu.be/7XxMXtlSJQw

Perhaps your could share the address, so other PW members in that area could try and possibly buy it.

Laroslav Vasiliev for some reason I do not want to give the name of the dealer.It is the only authorized dealer in Kawai pianos in the area so that should point out who they are.
I wish someone would buy it because my husband who in no way is affected by the brand of a piano
has not been quite normal after I played it.The piano was so inspiring I almost forgot where I was
when playing it.
As for me .............? Thought shalt not covet .,I say to myself.

I've not played a 4, but I had the opportunity to try out the P 173 which is the "latest" 5' 8". Having tried dozens (probably over a hundred) acoustic pianos now, I find the Petrof tone to be the only one I like for pianos less than 6'. It was a real surprise to me, I was pretty much ready to write off all pianos under 6' until I tried it. I have to say, I kind of lust over the Petrof now. The P194 even more so

Interestingly, I brought this up with my teacher who mentioned it to his piano tech friend. Though she agrees they sound great, apparently they are a bit of a nightmare for techs. Unfortunately I don't have any details, but I trust her opinion. Once I have a chance to speak with her I'd love to get specifics of what issues she's had with them.

A fellow of mine once found a grand of his dream, but he didn't have money at the moment. He thought, 'I should highly recommend this grand to a friend and convince him to buy it. This way I'll keep the grand closer to me and maybe some day I'll get it'. 8 years later his friend left Russia and moved to Germany. Guess who owns the grand now.

Lady Bird, would your husband be irked if you traded the nice upright for the Petrof grand ?

Same thought process here. Lady Bird, is it a possibility?

Awww reading this makes me so sad!!

We are heading up to a dealer this weekend that I have had on my radar for a while, but we've been putting it off because it's one of the longer drives and we started with the dealers that were closer. Well, this dealer had a Petrof IV advertised on their site, so that was one of the ones I was planning to look at when we visit.

But the other day when I checked their inventory page, that Petrof was no longer listed. And indeed, I just called them and they sold it just a few days ago!

Ah well.

I'm glad you enjoyed playing that Petrof Lady Bird!

Ladybird- why not go back and play it again and again? If you keep remembering it when you play your Sauter, it might just be the one. Unfortunately, we only live once. I’ve only gotten to play one Petrof in my life at a friend’s Christmas party. Not sure the size or model but it looked considerably bigger than my C3. It played and sounded lovely. Best wishes on whatever you decide.

My husband is saying keep the Sauter AND buy the Petrof ?
The Sauter is new and cost over twice the amount of the Petrof.
Apart from that I do still do love the Sauter 130.
After returning home from Richmond I went immediately to the
Sauter 130 opened the top lid and played the same pieces and
yes that upright has a beautiful tone (but a different tone )and of
course it is only an upright piano so it is not comparable to a 5'8"
grand.
It can be difficult to be rational in some situations especially when
one is not all that young anymore!

I agree with your kind, generous husband. Keep your beloved Sauter and get the Petrof. If down the road you find you never play the Sauter any more, you can sell it to a good home. Since your husband plays you can do two piano duets. My heavens! That’s a pianist’s dream, isn’t it?

There’s no need to be rational over this— decide with your heart ❤️
.... and go buy some lovely two piano music at the same time you buy the grand 😊

Or better yet, dueling pianos!

Thanks J&J but I do not think I could ! ?
Actually the final agreement about the price of the Sauter was just a little less than twice the cost of the Petrof.The dealer mainly sells grand pianos so I think he can see the problem as well.What would he offer on a trade in of the new Sauter???
I do not know but even in a perfect swop both of us would feel cheated ,is what I believe.
Your assets can sometimes end up being your liabilities.

ShiroKuro I think this Petrof model 4 should be your piano !

My piano teacher said, with a smile on his face, you need at least one of each, a grand and a piano, and of different makes of course. Provided you can almost afford it.

If you have the space and budget, going for two pianos can do something not feasible for a one-piano setup for apparent reasons. In our household even though we barely have time to play at all, let alone duets, we do find fun in changing instruments from time to time.

I think you should go play that piano one more time Lady Bird.

In Vancouver right? Too bad it's so far away!!

In a moment of weakness earlier today I was playing with the idea of getting both the Blüthner grand and the Yamaha upright I’m looking at. Alas it’s more than I’m willing to spend all at once and I think my wife would find it a bit much to be honest even I she is a wonderfully supportive person.

It would be lovely to have one of each - and if you have the space and the money then why not ?