The
Gift Of Music
A Q&A with Euro
Grand Piano's Gunter Manchen about selecting the perfect
piano for the holidays.
There is nothing
like a finely crafted grand piano to give a home a touch
of elegance for the holidays or everyday. In Naples, Euro
Grand Piano Gallery offers a staggering collection of new
and used pianos, including grand, upright and player pianos
from such quality makers as Bösendorfer, C. Bechstein,
Steinway, Sauter and Schimmel.
Home and Design
recently sat down with Euro Grand Piano's founder and internationally-known
concert tuner technician Gunter Manchen and asked him to
explain the mystery of piano manufacturing and what one
needs to know in order to make an informed purchase one
of these world-renowned instruments.
Home
& Design: Is there any difference between pianos
built in Europe and those made in North America?
Manchen:
The first thing you should be aware of is that there are
famous European companies such as Berlin's C. Bechstein
(since 1853) and Vienna's Bösendorfer (since 1828),
but many so-called "American" piano makers also
had their start in Europe. The Steinway family (in German
called “Steinweg,”) immigrated to the United
States and founded the Steinway & Sons Company in New
York in 1853. So, the piano-making tradition began in Europe
and has developed from there. Certain materials used in
piano manufacture, like buckskin, felt, wood, cooper, and
steel wire are still mostly supplied by European companies.
Home
& Design: Are high-quality European pianos
more expensive to purchase?
Manchen:
Compared to Steinway prices, they are a little higher, however
what you are really buying is an instrument with a higher
quality and more elegance. The warranty on European pianos
is 10 years.
Home
& Design: Speaking of warranties, how do the
pianos stand up over the years?
Manchen:
At Euro Grand Piano Gallery, we sell Bösendorfer, C.
Bechstein, August Forster, Mason & Hamlin and used Steinways
from Hamburg. When the instruments arrive, the packing crate
alone is a piece of art. After being uncrated, the pianos
are ready for use in concerts. Very little tuning is necessary.
The action “touch” is solid. Many performing
pianists prefer our C. Bechstein and Bösendorfer grand
pianos. Some of our European pianos are used constantly
in the gallery’s recitals or in outside concerts.
They stand up very well because of their workmanship and
quality materials.
Home
& Design: Is there a particular piano you would
consider to be the finest available?
Manchen:
Each one in itself is a great piano. The finest materials,in
combination with highly skilled craftsmanship, assures us
of a high-performance quality piano. In the end it’s
really a matter of personal taste. The pianist will choose
the one he or she is most comfortable with.
Home
& Design: Some piano companies offer less expensive,
second-line pianos. Can you elaborate on that?
Manchen:
C. Bechstein in Berlin is building a lower-priced piano
with very few changes under the name `Bechstein Academy
Series.’ The Austrian firm of Bösendorfer is
doing the same under the trade name “CS Bösendorfer.”
Steinway & Sons in New York offers two lower priced
piano lines, the “Boston” and “Essex,”
which are designed by the company, but sourced out to foreign
countries for manufacture. ‘The Boston’ piano
is made by Kawai in Japan and ‘The Essex’ piano
is made in China.
Home &
Design: Why do you feel it’s important to
have so many pianos on display in your showroom?
Manchen:
Most of our clients enjoy the selection because it enables
them to compare the different pianos ‘hands on.’
Each instrument has its own unique sound, its own feel.
Piano selection is definitely a personal experience. Our
large selection allows our clients to experience both the
sound and feel of each instrument, so that in the end they
are confident in their purchase.
Home
& Design: Is there any other advice you’d
give to first time piano buyers regarding the quality and
ratings of the different pianos available?
Manchen:
I would recommend that they read "The Piano Book"
by Larry Fine, as it offers a lot of information about the
different piano manufacturers. It’s the perfect place
for the consumer to start.Should you have further questions
regarding pianos, or if you’d simply like to browse
and experience the enchantment of a quality instrument in
person, the staff at Euro Grand Piano Gallery are available
to assist both first-time and experienced clients.
By Kristine Hughes
Photography Courtesy of Euro Grand
Euro Grand Piano
Gallery, Inc.
975 Imperial Golf Course Boulevard
Naples FL 34110
Phone: 239 591-0304
www.europianosnaples.com
|
