Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Excellent performance on the Feurich 218

This performance by Kanako Mizuno is thoroughly worth listening to. Not only are there some really nice (and well executed!) pieces in there, but it's played on the French-designed Feurich 218 piano which gives it a quite unique sound. Different from a Steinway certainly, but beautiful in it's own right. Personally, I like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAABm5Jv2Kg&t=2104s

I wanted to make some comments about the piano. This piano has a very pretty, delicate and clear sound. While listening to this, open in another window any recording of a more conventional piano like a Yamaha (or a Steinway recording in some cases), and switch between them. To my ears, these pianos have a "fuller" sound, but they also sound harsh and clumsy by comparison. This was also my experience when I played these pianos in person. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Despite the delicate sound, she's able to get substantial power from the bass and also the high treble when she wants to.

Some other posters on this forum have criticized the Feurich/Hailun 218 for having a "thin" or "sterile" sound. I suspect the sound produced by this piano is a design choice by Paulello, and quite deliberate, and not at all a failing unless one subjectively happens to not prefer it.

I know people like to talk about how Steinway and Yamaha can "cut through the orchestra" and "project to the back of the hall". But there are no cavernous halls at my place, nor are there any orchestras. In fact, even if an orchestra were so inclined as to visit my abode in an attempt to drown me out, it wouldn't fit. I assume that is also the case for everyone else!

I'm still deciding whether to get the 218 or a Yamaha C7X (which is twice the price). I'm very impressed with the bass on the C7X (although not quite a fair comparison as it is 7cm longer than the 218), but I still feel that the 218 has a prettier sound, particularly when rendering those gentle Scriabin melodies...

You should get the one that you like unless price is an issue! My immediate reaction to the sound was that I prefer my Roland LX706. Pity, as I like the specs of the Feurich uprights and the prices, but alas not the sounds.

When you prefer the sound of a modelled DP over a respectable grand piano......................

My apologies, not sure how to finish that sentence.

I must say that Ms Mizuno is an excellent representative for that piano. I've listened to the Poulenc Novelettes twice.

Larry.

...the grand piano needs tuning, or voicing, or refurbishment.

...your ears are broken.

...YouTube videos are useless for judging sound.

Sorry - I should have qualified it and said via headphones. Speakers - definitely not.

The music lovers of east Yorkshire must have liked the sound of this Feurich 218 because they raised the money to purchase it.
I listened carefully to the Beethoven and very much like the way it was played although listening with just the tiny speakers built into this laptop I couldn't expect that the bass would adequately come through.

This very piano was regulated, voiced, and tuned by Peter Salisbury who worked on it over a period of days to coax this sound from it. He said he was very impressed with the quality of work and the potential of the piano. Peter is technician for the Royal Festival Hall in London and works with every major classical artist, and understands the demands placed on concert instruments.

I think the piano sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing.

I am the chair of the Howdenshire Music Project who have that particular Feurich 218. We did a lot of research before buying a Feurich 218. We tried one in February 2020 and were very impressed by the build quality and sound. Our concert technician of 30 experience was also very impressed. In the event we bought a differed 218 in December, selected and prepared by Mr Salisbury.

Feurich have featured the piano on their website and all the pianist who have played it have been very impressed. I am completely new to audio and video recording and am learning on the job! Kanako is s wonderful pianist. You definitely get a lot of piano for your buck!

More info here https://www.howdenminsterconcerts.co.uk/lunchtime-concerts

The recoding doesn't do piano or Kanako full justice - I am a novice in recording etc. It has a rich full sound and an incredible bass and a beautiful singing quality!

For a novice it sounds pretty darned good, Tenor. Good job.

Is it my imagination, or has Feurich left the Piano Buyer guide? I am looking at brand profiles, and seeing nobody between Fazioli and Foerster. Any clue on where to get a sense of their line and prices?

It may be under Hailun? I haven't looked though

You're right, they're not there. Maybe they're not marketed in America?

Look under their old name

Wendl & Lung

And the 218 is not on there

The listing is out of date

Check with the dealer in Chicago:

Pianoforte - Thomas Zoells is the owner

I don’t believe you have said yet whether you have played both the Feurich 218 and the C7X.

But listening to those videos, once again the Feurich sounds dull and lifeless. There are dozens of recordings demonstrating the Yamaha C7X and the difference is commanding.

Of course playing the two in person will instantly reveal the superior one.

I know for me cost is a serious issue. At this point a new Feurich 218 is just as beyond my means as a Yamaha C7X or certainly a Steinway B. I’m not likely to be buying any of them.

If cost is not the issue I recommend stop trying to pretend a Feurich or Hailun or a Pearl River can match a Yamaha C7X. There is simply no comparison. For example, a Hyundai Genesis is a nice car but it’s no Mercedes or Jaguar.


https://youtu.be/HqJ7cS2dnT4

https://youtu.be/WFeQ6KLrKi4

Yes, I've played the Feurich 218, the Hailun 218, and the Yamaha C7X. I did not find the 218 dull and lifeless at all. When I played the beautiful soft melody near the start of Scriabin's 3rd sonata, the 218 produced a more beautiful sound than the Yamaha. My one concern was that it seemed a bit weak volume wise, but it might have just been prep/voicing or simply needing to be worn in a bit. I'm not trying to pretend anything, as I can afford either piano. The Yamaha clearly has a very different sound. You seem to have a strong preference for the Yamaha, which is fine. For me, it's not so clear.

Well we are talking about 2 pianos, one valued around $27,000 usd and the other at $82,000 usd. Nearly triple the price.

You’ve been struggling with this choice for months. I think you should buy the one that fits comfortably in your budget and meets your musical goals. Best wishes with your decision.

In Australia, after discounting, the Feurich is exactly half the price of the Yamaha C7X. Don't know about the USA.