Bechstein Square Pianos

[Bill Kibby]

Here's a puzzle for you: Apart from Wagner's Bechstein square piano, has anyone ever seen a Bechstein square? I can't find any trace so far. I can't recall many Bluthner or Bosendorfer squares either, yet people like Steinway and Chickering made huge numbers, and were still making them in the 1890s, there seem to be endless large American squares. In fact, the majority of antique American pianos seem to be squares.

[Bill Kibby]

I am grateful to Gregor Willmes, Cultural Manager, C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG for the following information:

"Thank you very much for your request. Our technical departement told me that Bechstein didn’t produce square pianos regularly. As far as we know Carl Bechstein made square pianos only at the express request of a costumer. Kind regards."