I have played all the best pianos in the world: bosendorfer, bechstein, schimmel, etc etc. the best piano in the world is by far the Steingraebar and sohne...so beautiful...it sings yet has power and mellow at the same time. Can't explain it completely but Chopin nocturnes Shine on these pianos
Wow I was going to say the same thing even though I haven’t tried one yet!!! It always seems to be about Steinway especially where I study in Cardiff and it’s always over marketed. I was really surprised when Steingraeber only make a really small number of pianos annually, less even than Fazioli!!! I actually prefer the sound of that compared to Steinway-it can tire the ears from all the overtones and continuous brilliance which I like, but I’d like more variety though in the tonal range across the dynamic spectrum-Steingraeber clearly wins over that. I just think that you can easily get caught up in that wall of sound with Steinway you stop thinking about what you’re doing leading to overplaying or using too much physical energy to relish into the experience of it, but I like them as performing instruments.
Thanks a lot from France Hugh 👍😊👋 2 years ago my father( 83 years old ) decided to offer to each of his children a very nice sum of money ...except to me . No choice to me .He wanted me to start playing and working the piano again . I had done my piano studies on a magnificent Bösendorfer who stayed with my parents .My father then offered my own . In the store beautiful we’re enthroned and I was trying out wonderful Bösendorfers ... when I saw those others piano I didn’t know Curious to that unknown piano to me I tried 2 ones ... the quarter-tail surprised me with sound but more again with a incredible volume of sound ... but the half-tail ... wouaouhhh ... warm and virile tone of the bass, clear and pearly sound of the trebles , pianissimi of an incredible softness and purity even without the system described here... medium wonderful ... Surprising myself, Steingraeber charmed me definitely so I confess to having made an infidelity to Bösendorfer... and even if I still adore Bosendorfer sensibility , sound and touch , I do not regret this fantastic piano ... if the recording partially render the richness of the sound , it.s nothing compare to the real sound ... Try it ...
I wish you would play a bit longer. That is a rare piano; we don't get to hear it often. You have done a fabulous job demonstrating the beautiful sound of this instrument. Please, next time, do a full piece.
The felt on the middle pedal was rather common as moderator on German uprights in the 70s and 80s to tone them down in rental apartments where you do not wanted to annoy the neighbors. This one does not seem to muffle the sound as much as in these uprights. The Mozart rail sounds interesting. But it lacks a sostenutl, doesn‘t it? Many pianists probably would not care, but some use this very often, especially those who play Ravel or Debussy stuff. They would probably not be too thrilled to arrive at a concert hall and find a pinao without a sostenuto on stage. It is pretty much a standard equipment on concert grands since some decades and I think every Steinway D - the benchmark of concert grands - has it since the 1890s.
I haven't played any of these hi-end brands like one commenter...but if you really listen...even in RUclips videos with decent headphones on...you DO hear a "shimmer throughout". Whereas with a Bluthner it's only found in the highs. Which is another brand I've liked . Along with good mid's. C. Bechstein a great brand but doesn't have that "shimmer" anywhere. Maybe one isnt looking for the "shimmer" "sizzle"...So a C. Bechstein or Steinway is for them. For me....if I could afford any grand...it would be a Steingraeber 232 semi-concert...While still super expensive at around $180k USD...its less than a C. Bechstein 234...MSRP $199k...Same sizze... What I love about grands is (vs other musical instruments) the difference iin sound quality is fairly evident. For "trained" or even "untrained" ears. Though, in all honesty, I do think grands are overpriced. Keeping in mind the engineering involved and thousands of parts...man hours to make and assemble and voice...I think no grand should be over $110k...Concert grands being priced between at most $100-110k...To ask $270k for a C. Bechstein concert grand 9'2 piano is a bit ridiculous..And is simply a company being greedy....cashing on on a wealthy piano nerd's willingness to pay any price for "the best". To own a flagship grand. For bragging rights. Like buying a $300,000 Ferrari...
Hugh, superb playing on a superb sounding instrument ! Steingraeber makes a variant of this E 272 called a" Phoenix" . . . do you happen to know about that model and if so, care to comment? I'd like to know the differences between them if any. Thanks for your reviews!
"Phoenix" is a company in England that designed the carbon fiber lid for this piano, plus the carbon fiber soundboards and the "Phoenix bridge" that come on the Phoenix model. The Phoenix bridge in particular adds a lot of power to the piano.
@@pianocontortions7038 But the (bridge agraffe) tonality isn't quite that of standard design - less fundamental, more partials but about 4x the sustain...
www.pianoteq.com/steingraeber "Steingraeber is the only manufacturer to have reduced the surface of the treble soundboard and to have restored its ‘classical relationship’ to short treble strings. Thus, Steingraeber strings have 27% less wood weight to set in motion. Even when softer intonation is called for, the player is rewarded with an immediate, singing resonance."
As a Tuner who've done thousands of pianos in my 40yrs, and as a pianist, this is nothing short of being gimmicky with nothing else better to work on. Like old rippen uprights with rivet rings on the muffler felt to create "harpsichord " effects or 4 treble strings on Bluthner grands.. they will never be "new industry standards " Yamahas and kawais have the mute function as a hand lever. why would anyone want to mute a beautiful sounding piano? its suppose to be technically competent for a pianist to play soft
Right, and I think the felt, (“the sordino”), it’s there for nanny’s sleep or dad’s afternoon nap. The felt is inside many vertical piano too since ever, for this purpose. Not certainly to use for a Schubert impromptu, because the sound is much shorter and mutes, not soft.
I have played all the best pianos in the world: bosendorfer, bechstein, schimmel, etc etc. the best piano in the world is by far the Steingraebar and sohne...so beautiful...it sings yet has power and mellow at the same time. Can't explain it completely but Chopin nocturnes Shine on these pianos
Have you played a Fazioli?
Wow I was going to say the same thing even though I haven’t tried one yet!!! It always seems to be about Steinway especially where I study in Cardiff and it’s always over marketed. I was really surprised when Steingraeber only make a really small number of pianos annually, less even than Fazioli!!! I actually prefer the sound of that compared to Steinway-it can tire the ears from all the overtones and continuous brilliance which I like, but I’d like more variety though in the tonal range across the dynamic spectrum-Steingraeber clearly wins over that. I just think that you can easily get caught up in that wall of sound with Steinway you stop thinking about what you’re doing leading to overplaying or using too much physical energy to relish into the experience of it, but I like them as performing instruments.
Thanks a lot from France Hugh 👍😊👋 2 years ago my father( 83 years old ) decided to offer to each of his children a very nice sum of money ...except to me . No choice to me .He wanted me to start playing and working the piano again . I had done my piano studies on a magnificent Bösendorfer who stayed with my parents .My father then offered my own . In the store beautiful we’re enthroned and I was trying out wonderful Bösendorfers ... when I saw those others piano I didn’t know
Curious to that unknown piano to me I tried 2 ones ... the quarter-tail surprised me with sound but more again with a incredible volume of sound ... but the half-tail ... wouaouhhh ... warm and virile tone of the bass, clear and pearly sound of the trebles , pianissimi of an incredible softness and purity even without the system described here... medium wonderful ... Surprising myself, Steingraeber charmed me definitely so I confess to having made an infidelity to Bösendorfer... and even if I still adore Bosendorfer sensibility , sound and touch , I do not regret this fantastic piano ... if the recording partially render the richness of the sound , it.s nothing compare to the real sound ... Try it ...
Glorious instrument...great playing and that sound you could obtain on these pieces...beautiful
The best thing about this piano is not the only the great sound it has, but that it actually opens up new possibilities in term of expressiveness
This piano is truly exceptional and unique. And congratulations to the pianist who knew how to play it.
I wish you would play a bit longer. That is a rare piano; we don't get to hear it often. You have done a fabulous job demonstrating the beautiful sound of this instrument. Please, next time, do a full piece.
The felt on the middle pedal was rather common as moderator on German uprights in the 70s and 80s to tone them down in rental apartments where you do not wanted to annoy the neighbors. This one does not seem to muffle the sound as much as in these uprights.
The Mozart rail sounds interesting.
But it lacks a sostenutl, doesn‘t it? Many pianists probably would not care, but some use this very often, especially those who play Ravel or Debussy stuff. They would probably not be too thrilled to arrive at a concert hall and find a pinao without a sostenuto on stage. It is pretty much a standard equipment on concert grands since some decades and I think every Steinway D - the benchmark of concert grands - has it since the 1890s.
Piece at 4:00?
Schubert Impromptu in Eb Major
I'm no expert so excuse me if my question is silly: Isn't that middle pedal with this exact function part of most pianos?
I haven't played any of these hi-end brands like one commenter...but if you really listen...even in RUclips videos with decent headphones on...you DO hear a "shimmer throughout". Whereas with a Bluthner it's only found in the highs. Which is another brand I've liked . Along with good mid's. C. Bechstein a great brand but doesn't have that "shimmer" anywhere. Maybe one isnt looking for the "shimmer" "sizzle"...So a C. Bechstein or Steinway is for them. For me....if I could afford any grand...it would be a Steingraeber 232 semi-concert...While still super expensive at around $180k USD...its less than a C. Bechstein 234...MSRP $199k...Same sizze...
What I love about grands is (vs other musical instruments) the difference iin sound quality is fairly evident. For "trained" or even "untrained" ears.
Though, in all honesty, I do think grands are overpriced. Keeping in mind the engineering involved and thousands of parts...man hours to make and assemble and voice...I think no grand should be over $110k...Concert grands being priced between at most $100-110k...To ask $270k for a C. Bechstein concert grand 9'2 piano is a bit ridiculous..And is simply a company being greedy....cashing on on a wealthy piano nerd's willingness to pay any price for "the best". To own a flagship grand. For bragging rights. Like buying a $300,000 Ferrari...
If you want a “shimmer,” but a “Schimmel.”
Hugh, superb playing on a superb sounding instrument ! Steingraeber makes a variant of this E 272 called a" Phoenix" . . . do you happen to know about that model and if so, care to comment? I'd like to know the differences between them if any. Thanks for your reviews!
"Phoenix" is a company in England that designed the carbon fiber lid for this piano, plus the carbon fiber soundboards and the "Phoenix bridge" that come on the Phoenix model. The Phoenix bridge in particular adds a lot of power to the piano.
@@pianocontortions7038 But the (bridge agraffe) tonality isn't quite that of standard design - less fundamental, more partials but about 4x the sustain...
Hi Hugh Sung! what do you have to say about the Ibach piano brand. there isn't so much talk about it. does that mean it isn't of such good quality?
It’s so funny that I just typed this into google translate. It said: “stone tombs and sons”.
It literally means "stone digger"
That's a fault of google translate, confusing Gräber with tombs instead of digger.
I played on this piano today, what a wonderful experience in my life
Dear Santa, I want one. Pleeeeease....
Nice pronunciation. And the sordino is just a moderator, isn't it?
It is a moderator it was standard in Viennese pianos in the early 1800s. Nice to see Steingraeber using it again.
what is the first piece you play? sounds so good. I wish I could play like you, simply amazing!
schubert impromptus op 90 n 2
I'm biased when I say that but the Sokolov version you can find on youtube is just great.
Sounds a little thin and bright to me, but maybe just the acoustics and mics...?
www.pianoteq.com/steingraeber
"Steingraeber is the only manufacturer to have reduced the surface of the treble soundboard and to have restored its ‘classical relationship’ to short treble strings. Thus, Steingraeber strings have 27% less wood weight to set in motion. Even when softer intonation is called for, the player is rewarded with an immediate, singing resonance."
@@rudigerk So props to them for not making a Steinway-like tone, where everything sounds almost the same(Im talking about you, Bechstein)
What is the music called that you played first?
Schubert Impromptu, Op.90 No.2
What pieces did he play? Thank you
Hugh sung.... what did he sing?
Edit: Sorry, it had to be done lol.
Wonderful
Garbage bins have lids...pianos have tops !
Hugh, how were you able to properly evaluate a piano amidst the noise, crowds and poor acoustics of a trade fair venue?
As a Tuner who've done thousands of pianos in my 40yrs, and as a pianist, this is nothing short of being gimmicky with nothing else better to work on. Like old rippen uprights with rivet rings on the muffler felt to create "harpsichord " effects or 4 treble strings on Bluthner grands.. they will never be "new industry standards " Yamahas and kawais have the mute function as a hand lever. why would anyone want to mute a beautiful sounding piano? its suppose to be technically competent for a pianist to play soft
Right, and I think the felt, (“the sordino”), it’s there for nanny’s sleep or dad’s afternoon nap. The felt is inside many vertical piano too since ever, for this purpose. Not certainly to use for a Schubert impromptu, because the sound is much shorter and mutes, not soft.
I’ve seen the felt mute idea on I think an old Yamaha upright in the sixties.
Almost every upright piano with three pedals (at least here in Italy) has the sordina
No doubt this man was born in Osterreich.
0:05 say that five times fast
Too much talking and too little playing.
STEINWAY is best!
They are certainly great, but there's good competition out there and pianos that are just as fine or even better.
KAWAI, Steingraeber & Söhne, Bösendorfer: