NEW CHORAL WORKS of

VLADIMIR PLESHAKOV

Direct from-

STERN AUDTORIUM Carnegie Hall

To be performed by

Pheonix Chorale

Concerts- May 5, 6

for information on cocnerts and lectures with Vladimir Pleshakov

phoennixchorale.org

 

  

The Tischner Grand Fortepiano, built in 1826 for the royalty in Russia, is the "Crown Jewel" of the collection. This piano is very ornate and there are only three Tischners in the world that we know of and ours is the only one that can be played! It is a Russo-German version of a Broadwood fortepiano with an English action. As with the many Broadwoods, Erards and Pleyels of Europe, experimentation with iron support bars connected to the frame of the piano and metal hitch plates instead of hardwoods was being used as all the manufacturers were trying to produce greater volume with greater string tension and also greater tuning stability. This piano employs the use of these great long iron bars and metal hitch pin plate for strength and stability.

  
The oldest piano in the collection, the 1788 Longman & Broderick, was made in London and is significant because it was experimental for this firm as most English squares had a Bump Action' which was similar to the feel of a Clavichord, the ancestor of the piano. This piano also had an adjustment for ‘escapement' which made the instrument perform with much more sensitivity and ease of play. it essentially revolutionized the piano industry in England and much of Europe until1821.This piano is on loan form Bjarne Dahl. Its keyboard has five octaves, F to F. The firm of Longman & Broderip went bankrupt in 1798 and was taken over by Muzio Clementi who had been living in England for some years after being recognized as a child prodigy and was sent there from Italy to further his studies.

Stein (Replica 1780 piano)

The 1804 Clementi is one of the most original and well preserved Clementi square pianos in the world. It is a jewel. It is interesting that Clementi took over Longman and Broderip and we have that continuity in our collection. Clementi was regarded in his era as the Father of the Pianoforte because not only was he a gifted concert pianist, but he was also a most successful composer, publisher, and instrument maker as well. Clementi, unlike Salieri who lost to Mozart in a competition, was considered to be a major virtuoso in Europe at the turn of the 18th. century and his competition with Mozart was deemed a draw! The Clementi square is part of Steve Greenstein's private collection. Steve explains that “these pianos have no metal structural support or harp or metal plate, which made them very fragile and in need of frequent tuning. Their tone is quite gentle and low

Braodwood 1843 The bi-chord piano with it original strings, represents one of the first large scale success in piano manufacturing being one of approx 3,000 produced in the series over approximately 20 years. A piano that Chopin said he faovred for composing on, it has a rich, but light feel to it. Strung as a bi-chord it didn't have the power of later pianos, but it is quick and responsive.

Decker In 1866, the important historical fact is that 90% of all pianos made in the US were square grands and this one was the best Steinway ever manufactured having 3 strings for each treble note instead of 2, implementing the newly patented agraffe system, overstringing the bass strings to get a bigger, deeper tone and also expanding the keyboard from 85 to a full 88 notes as in the most modern grands.

Hunter site- Steinway square, Chickering square

The 1866 Steinway Square, restored 2 years ago and was recorded at concert in the Red Barn in April 2006. I've restored quite a few of these but this one is by far the best example I've ever heard. It has been restored with all its original parts and it has a brilliant treble, deep rich bass and very sustained tenor with the ethereal sound quality which most squares possess because the bottom of their soundboard is boxed in unlike the construction of the modern grand piano; so the sound reverberates about with a pleasing effect

The Lincoln Chickering piano is one almost identical to the one that Lincoln had in the White House when he was President. The continuity from Babcock to Chickering is evident as Babcock's patent for the full cast iron harp made Chickering's success. Babcock worked for Jonas Chickering after returning to Boston in 1837. In 1824 he received the Silver Medal at the exhibition of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia & in 1825 as well when he received a special mention of a square with his patented cast-iron frame. The Lincoln Chickering, as we call, it is a rare and well preserved instrument in all original condition awaiting restoration; but still able to be appreciated for its beautiful case and metal harp.

 

The 1972 Hamburg Steinway D belonged to the Vienna Philharmonic. It has an exceptionally beautiful sound and a very responsive action. It is used for concerts and recordings.
Examples of other affiliated site painos
  

The Sohmer 5' Grand Piano was built by Hugo Sohmer in 1884. It is the first five foot grand made in America or any other country. This overstrung three bridge instrument is claimed to be the smallest grand piano ever made for its time. Cheeks to either side of the keyboard are square, the remainder of the case is roughly symmetrical in for, with mitered inner rims, laminated outer rims. It is shaped like a hat or a butterfly. It has 88 notes. And a Swiss action. The legs are very ornate

 

The Broadwood Cabinet Upright Piano circa 1814 has no metal harp or structural support and is quite rare as it has a very ornate case with inlaid marquetry in rosewood and satinwood and ornate brass inlays throughout. The piano is all original and even though awaiting restoration is quite a sight to behold. The idea for an upright started in the late 1700's when experiments commenced to turn large eight-foot fortepianos upright in order to save space in smaller dwellings. These were called upright grands. The designs had limitations and the cabinet upright evolved which was still large at six feet, and very well received as they were easier to service than the monstrous upright grands, as well as very pleasing to the eye because of their exotic cases.

 

 

 
 

Locaterd at the Hudson Valley Arts Center, 337 Warren St., Hudson, NY

518-263-3333 / 518965-3009 / vita_mp@ymail.com