Where have all the Germans gone? (Long time passing)

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 14 Jan 2010, 01:33

It has recently occurred to me that although I know of almost endless ancient British pianos, French pianos, Austrian pianos, and a succession of predictable American squares, I rarely come across anything German before about 1870. Apart from the occasional celebrity instrument, even the famous German makers show very little sign of early pianos. The German museums I am aware of don't seem to have any great concentration of early German pianos. Why is that? Where did they go? Has somebody collected them all together in a shed somewhere? Or was there a pyramidal bonfire? Even in terms of paperwork, I find little trace of the early German piano industry. Perhaps they were purged because of the wars.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 14 Jan 2010, 17:35

I've got a customer with a few early Viennese instruments - one's a Graf, and there's another by a pupil of Mozart's. Probably others, but he has about 25, and I can't keep track of 'em! Does Viennese count as a German piano?

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 14 Jan 2010, 17:39

Viennese does not count as German, but I am always interested to know details of antique pianos, Viennese or otherwise.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:18

Next time I go I'll get names, ranks and numbers for you, Bill!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Jan 2010, 18:37

You did say that The 1804/5 one is a Broadwood grand like the one they sent to Ludwig, there's a Graf of about the same age, a Haxby of about 1760, one built by a pupil of Mozart.

Post by **vernon** » 16 Jan 2010, 19:12

I used to maintain the Colt Collection in Benenden Kent which had lots of original germans.I remember there was one Graf . Mr Colt is dead now and I don't know where they all went.
I had a Steinway grand no. 611, last seen near Canterbury

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 16 Jan 2010, 20:08

Last time I went, the Colt Collecton was still being maintained, but not easily available to the public at large. Mr Colt was a quirky character who always treated me very kindly, but didn't take to everyone!

Post by **vernon** » 17 Jan 2010, 17:22

Mr Colt didn't get on with Phil Kennedy! He didn't get offered a drink.
I always got a martini( which I don't much like) when I'd finished,served from a cupboard in a Giraffe piano.
I remember the Cambridge University Press did some recordings on the Graf,I think.
I was there all day and had to retune it after every "take"

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 17 Feb 2010, 19:39

Yes, I put up with a polite Martini too, from that very cupboard.

Pianomate · Post by **Pianomate** » 17 Feb 2010, 22:59

Where have all the Germans gone? (Long time passing)

I think our friend - the Twallock - on Ebay may have them all and be trying to confuse people into thinking they are all Steinways.

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