Old Bluthner

[David B]

I went to a lunchtime concert yesterday, by Maria Yugina in the City of London.

She was playing the church piano, which was an old Bluthner (early 1900s by the look of it and around 7ft).

The performance was very good, and a real treat, because in the programme was Chopin's Heroic Polonaise (op 53 A flat).

However, the lack of clarity (aka warm rich "European" sound) and lack of strength of the treble, let her down badly.

Shame

[Barrie Heaton]

However, the lack of clarity (aka warm rich "European" sound) and lack of strength of the treble, let her down badly.

Shame

Bluthners tend to be toned down quite a lot as that is what most want all the restored Bluthners I have been out to I have been requested to tone them down. At that age the strings may be tiered if they are the original

Barrie,

[Openwood]

The most disappointing pianos I ever played - grand and upright - were Bluthners. You hear a lot about the 'warm European sound' - I think it's bollox.

[WinstonChurchill]

I'd never heard about this 'European sound' till I came to the UK. Some guy in a piano shop tried to sell me on this idea, but it sounded like sales spin on an inferior piano (this was a Reid Sohn -- there's something intrinsically embarrassing, not to say dishonest, about a German name on an Asian piano)... Anyway, when you're raised on Glenn Gould, you want clarity, not mush.

[Barrie Heaton]

the warm European sound came from the US a sales ploy to explain the softer tone of European piano, this was propagated by the net over here. Quite a lot of European piano makes were toned a lot softer than US makes and very much softer then Yamahas, but over the last 10 years quite a lot have left them harsh. Kembles did this as well; However, have now started to make them soft again. Bluthner was one of the few that did not go down this road if anything they softened the tone even more.

At the end of the day if most of the pianos you come in contact with are Yamaha and Steinways you will feel that some makes are mushy but there is lot who like that "warm European sound"

Barrie,

[PianoGuy]

The most disappointing pianos I ever played - grand and upright - were Bluthners. You hear a lot about the 'warm European sound' - I think it's bollox.

I do too in general, but a good 1930s Blüthner is superb, as is a modern one. The East German ones were very variable. Some were really not bad, but by and large they were shite.

[Openwood]

I remember playing a 6-foot Bluthner with a small orchestra and even with the lid up it was so 'warm and European' that nobody could hear a damn thing once the orchestra were stoked-up. Someone I know had a similar experience and described it rather memorably as being like wetting yourself in dark trousers; a nice warm feeling and nobody else notices...

[A440]

Bluthners have a dynamic range that leave any other piano standing (even Fazzy). It's not for everyone (life is a subjective experience!!) but a good Bluthner is a very wonderful thing and too rarely used on concert platforms in the UK.
I recently visited the factory in Leipzig. They really do build pianos as they were built 100 years ago. If you want a machine built piano go elsewhere. The attention to detail and quality control is unbelievable.
The Germans love them, unfortunately the UK market believes only Steinway is capable of producing a concert piano. We are so sadly backward in some respects! Perhaps things will change....

[Otto]

Not all Steinways have to be harsh and shrill, it's up to you and your tuner to get them how you want them. I'm supremely happy with mine thanks very much, and it's got a dynamic range I've never experienced on any other piano (vast) - with possible exception of a Chickering (Stuarts claim ppppp is possible with their 4th pedal, mind)

Maybe Steinway are the 'chosen' piano with good reason ...

I have always thought that Bluthner and Welmar specialise in sogginess. I was once told that a very large pin spreader was used to prick out the hammers to such an extent that no amount of playing would compress them back to where they started out.

I understand this instrument of torture is known as the 'Big Prick'. Is this so?

[A440]

No, it doesn't sound true! It sounds like a myth perpetuated by Steinway! They're good at that sort of thing, and only sometimes get caught...