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B e c h s t e i n m o d e l V
A bout the piano:
Click here for details and photos of the the
piano before and during the restoration.C. Bechstein grand piano ,model V (5), 200 cm long , built in 1887 in Berlin. It has a double escapement Isermann action, 88 keys and 2 pedals.
The restoration work took more than two months, between October and December 2000. Actually what we did is more than restoring, since we changed the piano's appearance substantially. I liked the way the polished walnut veneer of the Bösendorfer looked when it was refinished, so I decided to re-veneer the Bechstein instead of making it black, as it was originally. I chose walnut and mahogany veneer for this purpose, combined into frames. This design seemed to suit the shape of the instrument best, and enhance it's proportions (because the piano has corners on the curved side instead of being rounded like most modern pianos) .
The piano has a very beautiful sound, unusually powerful and with a very clear bass. The original hammers are harder , from playing, and after voicing to equalize them (taking care not to soften them too much), the sound became very clear and brilliant.
O ther views:
[click on the thumbnails to see larger pictures]
C ase details:
A few details of the veneer pattern on the finished piano:
The edge of the lid, pedal stand and the round parts of the legs can't be veneered, so they have been stained to match the veneer.
Left, the piano before repairing, right, the restored piano.
Click here for details and photos of the the piano before and during the restoration.
© Calin
Last update: 04.02.2006
