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What a lovely, lovely performance! That piano sounds just wonderful! (Also, I have to say it, I love that music desk!!)
So, who are the Watanabes that they get this amazing gift for their anniversary? How lucky!!!
Hi ShiroKuro,
They are an older couple (married 50 years) who have supported Mitchell in the past and are now dear friends. He and Hugh made this video as a gift to them.
Thanks for sharing! A beautiful warm mellow tone that i've come to expect of such vintage instruments but which is seldom heard on modern pianos.
I've always wondered how much of that classic vintage tone is a function of the harp and the rim, since even with a new soundboard, that tone character seems to be preserved.
Sauter Delta 185, Bosendorfer 225, Ibach F III 215
Thanks for sharing! A beautiful warm mellow tone that i've come to expect of such vintage instruments but which is seldom heard on modern pianos.
I've always wondered how much of that classic vintage tone is a function of the harp and the rim, since even with a new soundboard, that tone character seems to be preserved.
I don't think rebuilt Steinways are necessarily more mellow than modern Steinways. Although some rebuilders claim whatever good qualities a rebuilt Steinway has are partially due to the older plates, I don't see any reason why that would be true and have never heard any explanation even from those rebuilders.
I can't remember reading a single PW article that discussed plate design even though it seems like almost every other aspect of scale design and materials has been discussed ad infinitum.
I think the tone is probably much more related to the choice of hammers and strings, the soundboard construction, the voicing, and parts of the scale design other than the plate. I'm not aware of any major differences is the case design between new and older Steinways and if that could affect the tone.
But all the above is not based on any great knowledge of differences the plate or case might make, so I'm interested in those far more knowledgeable than me giving their thoughts.
Thanks for sharing! A beautiful warm mellow tone that i've come to expect of such vintage instruments but which is seldom heard on modern pianos.
I've always wondered how much of that classic vintage tone is a function of the harp and the rim, since even with a new soundboard, that tone character seems to be preserved.
In this case, there is plenty of reason for this piano to sound mellower and warmer than a modern instrument. The Centennial is not 9 ft., it is 8'9". This particular piano was built with a timber case and a very different soundboard design than a modern piano. The same can be said for the hammer design in this instrument. The colors that are obtainable on this piano between ppp and p are largely nonexistent on modern S&S concert grand pianos. It was built before the large halls of the late 19th and 20th C. (Carnegie Hall, for instance was built in 1889).
