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Twice in the past many decades I had the chance to try out B枚sendorfer Imperials in fairly large rooms, and I think back on those experiences as if encounters with the supernatural. If memory serves, they were stunningly easy to play: light, sensitive and responsive in a way I didn't expect for such a monstrous contraption.
My rebuilt Hamburg Steinway B has a superbly regulated action, but at my present intermediate skill level, I struggle to achieve dynamic nuance--especially when playing quietly. It makes we wonder if a concert grand piano would enable expressive playing with greater ease, facilitating technical progress. Might that be the case with something like a B枚sendorfer 280-VC or Yamaha CFX even in a home setting? Is superhuman technique needed to achieve ppp dynamics on a concert grand in a concert hall, or does the size of the space aid by making anything less then forceful playing sound quiet? Do these larger instruments offer intrinsically a wider dynamic range, regardless of room size?
What experiences have people had in controlling nuance and dynamics with different piano makes, larger and smaller, in home versus auditorium settings?
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Albert thanks for sharing your experience and expertise. I'm curious, when you practice on your Big B枚si at home, do you keep the lid down, or perhaps select a shorter prop stick?
Can an expert technician with B枚sendorfer experience voice the hammers down so they are simply more quiet (dialed down from 11 to 5), but still preserve the original timbre and perceived responsiveness and lightness of the action?
My fantasy is that such an instrument with longer key levers will (compared to my Hamburg Steinway B) greatly facilitate my progress in control and expressiveness beyond my current intermediate skill level, without demanding that my technique be revised to handle any increased weightiness or inertia imposed by a concert grand. Do you think that is realistic?
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Michael Wow, you own a Hamburg Steinway B? Enjoy! That's a high-end instrument for professionals, so honestly I doubt the action of a concert grand would make a night and day difference when it comes to developing your skills. (If only it were that easy!)
There is of course some difference in the action due to longer levers, but to me the B is an ideal size that I for one could be perfectly happy with. The action is also sensitive enough and the dynamic range sufficient to allow you to develop a fully professional technique and range. If you get another piano for your living space, it should probably be because you love its sound and feel and individual character, regardless of its size.
An expert technician can indeed voice down the hammers to sculpt the sound. I've heard very impressive work voicing B枚sendorfers, Steinways and Faziolis so they sound good in living rooms. Maybe dialing it down from 11 to 7 is more realistic?
In any case, just because dynamic potential is there doesn鈥檛 mean you have to use all of it in your living room, any more than you鈥檇 race down the street at 200 mph if you owned a 911 GT3! (Someone would have to call 911 if I owned a 911!)
I do practice on the Imperial with the lid all the way down and open it up when recording. Otherwise it would indeed be truly overwhelming!
Maybe Dominic Cheli can share his thoughts and experiences if he has a chance? You asked him after all... didn't mean to interject except to share your glowing enthusiasm for the Imperial!
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Albert Your interjections have been phenomenally helpful, informative and entertaining! Thank you for them!
It is difficult to accept that having a concert grand piano will not transform me instantaneously into a grand concert pianist.
My totally rebuilt Hamburg B supposedly dates from shortly before 1920--hard to reconcile that with the Great War, but perhaps contributing to its explosive sound.
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Of course the comments made by so many of you are very interesting. I work in electronic music and jazz. I now use a Casio Privia CX S7000 digital piano. A remarkable instrument which can span the scope of classical and electronic music from Chopin to Herbie Hancock and electronic music better I believe than any digital keyboard before it.
Regards
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Robert Appleton It's great to hear about your journey with the Casio Privia CX S7000! Its versatility in covering both classical and electronic music is impressive鈥擨 can only imagine the unique textures you create from Chopin to Herbie Hancock. Have you found any particular pieces that really shine on it? I'd love to hear more about your favorite compositions to play! Keep enjoying the music!
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