The Berent Piano, 1775 - The First Piano Commercially Made and Sold in America - Sigal Music Museum

When this Johan Berent piano re-emerged from its 246-year seclusion, mostly spent within the original family, it created an immediate sensation. The advertisement for this particular piano in the Pennsylvania Packet in early 1775, is among the best-known notices from colonial times in America.
Speculation as to the true nature of this piano has circulated for over two hundred years. During the Bi-Centennial celebrations of America in 1976, several groups turned their attention to highlighting the possibility that such a piano might still exist, though nothing tied any of the pianos then known, to Berent. Only now are we able, at last, to study the construction of the real John Behrent piano, and learn something about the maker.
The original key levers and bottom boards are made of tulip poplar, found only in America and of too little value to ever export in the eighteenth century. John Berent spelled his name differently every time he used it in notices or legal documents. Whether he did this in an attempt to anglicize it, or simply because he did not know how it was spelled, this caused enough confusion that detection of this piano was missed in the early 1970s when it was first studied. Berent came to Philadelphia from London, by way of Lisbon Portugal, in 1770 and set up immediately to make musical instruments, as well as case goods, bedsteads, and similar items. He introduced this instrument to the New World, as “an extraordinary fine instrument by the name of Piano Forte, in the manner of an harpsichord, and several changes.” The piano closely follows the techniques of London-based builder Americus Backers, who was building instruments much like this contemporary to Berent. That an American also built an “English grand piano” in Philadelphia while Backers was then working in London, is indeed “extraordinary.”

[@richardadkins2399]

Wonderful I have in my care one of Peter Redstone's copies of the Americus Backers fortepiano of 1772 he made for Wm and Mary College. A few years ago the original Backers in England was "restored". It got quite a few write ups and some short videos at the time. I'm sure that is the one you played. It was a real adventure for me to acquire the Redstone copy, as prior to that I only knew the Viennese fortepianos, which are very different. Most of what we see in early English forte pianos was at least inspired by Backers original. Basically they stole their designs from him and added "improvements". The Backers is double strung. We're keeping it at A-428 to hopefully prevent it from twisting as your Berent has done. Thanks for putting this up, it made my day!

[@tomarmstrong1281]

An interesting and well-presented history of a unique instrument.

[@7649angel]

Thank you! A great story of a very early instrument.

[@SigalMusicMuseum]

Our pleasure!

[@TheClasax]

a remarkable story indeed

[@SigalMusicMuseum]

It really is!

[@adhocrat1]

CF Martin learned that he had to be part of a violin guild in Germany to make guitars. Rather than deal with that, he moved to America and started Martin Guitars in 1833. I had not realized the piano makers had the same issue

[@philipallard8026]

What a wonderful story.

[@Renshen1957]

The Sharps are skunk-stripes, popular in English Harpsichords

[@JoeLinux2000]

Very interesting. Rather nice sounding instrument. I wonder if Pianoteq will virtulize it?

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Wonderful!

[@SigalMusicMuseum]

Glad you think so!

[@scottshepard345]

I would like to know how the sound of this piano differs from a modern baby grand, which would seem to be its closest relative. And then there is the question: which is better, old or modern?

[@GrotrianSeiler]

No such thing as better. Each has their merit. All comes down to which you enjoy listening to more.

[@EdwarddeVere1550]

How many notes and strings in this instrument and does it have tensioning elements to hold the structural integrity? Does it ressemble elements from Broadwood, Erards or Pleyels of that period?

[@arpeggiomikey]

All very good, Google-worthy questions....🧐🎶🎹

[@bealreadyhappy]

7:55 why a keyboard shift?

[@SigalMusicMuseum]

To make a quieter sound

[@vaughanjones5933]

Let all things now living, a song of thanksgiving, to God the Creator, triumphantly raise.

[@warriorson7979]

But America only started existing in 1776...? So it was first made in the British Empire.😌

[@SimonBrouwer]

The land mass we call America existed long before the USA came into being.

[@warriorson7979]

@@SimonBrouwer
Oh...
I thought George Washington invented America