Which Piano would you choose?

[Big_Al]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/arts/music/frick-piano-jeremy-denk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B08.E1X8.ggH2TGu3gMj2&smid=url-share

Selecting a new Steinway for the Frick's concert hall in NYC.

Big Al

[ShiroKuro]

Great minds think alike!
https://wtf.coffee-room.com/topic/1693/the-frick-needs-a-new-piano-choices/6

I would have chosen the Hamburg too. A too-heavy action is a non-started, for one thing.

But as I said in the other thread, I would prefer to see a few more brand options.

I am dying to try a Fazioli... Maybe some day. There's actually one here on campus but I doubt I will have the chance to play it ever!

[ShiroKuro]

Also check out the photos of the Frick, lovely!

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/19/arts/design/frick-museum-reopening-nyc.html

[Mary Anna]

I liked the Hamburg best of these three, but I was surprised at the selection. It seems to me like the Frick should be able to choose from a broader selection than "action too heavy," "way too bright," and "it's okay if you really work with it."

[ShiroKuro]

@Mary-Anna said in Which Piano would you choose?:

It seems to me like the Frick should be able to choose from a broader selection that "action too heavy," "way too bright," and "it's okay if you really work with it."

Well put!!

[Steve Miller]

No one gets fired for choosing Steinway.

[Bernard]

I thought the 1882 Palisandra had the most beautiful tone. I would have opted for that one.

[ShiroKuro]

@Bernard said in Which Piano would you choose?:

1882 Palisandra

Isn't that the one he said was heavy? I don't like "heavy" in piano action. That would supersede the tone, for me.

[Bernard]

@ShiroKuro Yes, it's the one he said was heavy. Unfortunately, even though they had a number of pianists play the pianos, the article only gives us Denk's reactions.

I don't like heavy actions either so I'd get it adjusted. But the tone... so beautiful! (I wonder if it's at all attributable to the heavier action? Hm.)

[Bernard]

@ShiroKuro Yes, it's beautiful inside. I visited it once (in all the years I lived there). The grand staircase is very grand.

[ShiroKuro]

@Bernard said in Which Piano would you choose?:

even though they had a number of pianists play the pianos, the article only gives us Denk's reactions

Yes, I noticed that. Also the title suggests it was his choice, but the article is less clear??

[AndyD]

None of those three for me. Does it have to be a Steinway sound?

What's the tariff on a Stuart&Sons piano from Australia?

[RealPlayer]

NY Steinways are all so different from one another. I suspect the Hamburgs and other European makes are more consistent.

[AdagioM]

I liked the Hamburg best of these three.

@ShiroKuro can you just sneak in and play a few notes on the Fazioli?

[ShiroKuro]

@AdagioM said in Which Piano would you choose?:

@ShiroKuro can you just sneak in and play a few notes on the Fazioli?

Dunno but I’ll probably try during the summer when there are fewer people around, and I have time to wander over there!

I’m not even sure where it usually is, there are a few different performance halls, and of the performances I’ve been to, I’ve only seen it once.

Actually, thinking about what my tuner said, it might be under the stage when not in use.

Anyway, I’m planning to go over to the music building (actually, buildings, there are several) and look for flyers (for piano teachers) so maybe I’ll snoop around and see if I can spot it.

[pique]

@Steve-Miller said in Which Piano would you choose?:

No one gets fired for choosing Steinway.

It is New York, after all.

[pique]

Cool article. Much better than the real estate ones it is modeled on (which apartment would you choose? Which one did the buyer choose? And then they reveal some critical piece of info in the answer that they neglected to mention higher up--like the basement was flooded.)

I have played several Centennial Ds, rebuilt by friends (Tali Mahanor is one) and they are a better piano for chamber music than the modern Ds, which are built for a big concert hall. They are a prized piano among technician-rebuilders, and the bidding on them is fierce when they come up for auction. I don't find their action heavy, but they are kind of "thuddy" compared to modern pianos, and that may create the impression of heaviness. In any event, the museum should get the newest piano it can, because they don't improve with age.

It was cool to see a mention of Tippet Rise, in Montana, which I plan to visit this summer. Unfortunately neither Mr. Pique nor I won the ticket lottery this time, but we can go hiking there and hope for a sale of last minute concert tickets.

Also cool to see Tali mentioned. She is an incredibly creative technician, and the idea of being able to swap out actions at will is kind of a great idea.

I agree the Hamburg sounds best, at least on my tablet speakers. It's a very different scale design than the New York Steinway, and I personally much prefer it--it's a lot like my piano.

[Daniel.]

Get the Hamburg, get the Steinway name, have your cake and eat it too.

I read (don't know if it's true) that museums started as house museums in the Netherlands.

In a sense, also, what are all the stately and manorial houses in Europe if not museums?

It's an extraordinarily beautiful house.