Pianotech

  • 1.  Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-04-2022 16:58
    Greetings,

    a local theater company was given a Friedrich Ehrbar grand piano, 7 ft, by the historic society.  They thought it was going to be used regularly, but as it turns out, it has not been used at all but for perhaps once or twice in 10 years.
    They are thinking of either selling or donating it.  It is ready for a complete rebuild.
    Does this piano have any historic importance, and value?
    Thank you,
    Peter

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    Petrus Janssen
    Peachtree City GA
    678-416-8055
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  • 2.  RE: Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-04-2022 19:36
    Serial Number. Age? Open face pin block?? Modern action???

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-05-2022 00:22
    I'm going to take some pictures this coming week and will try to get in touch with someone of the historic society to see if they know more about the life of this piano.
    Peter

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    Petrus Janssen
    Peachtree City GA
    678-416-8055
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-04-2022 20:29
    This manufacturer is discussed on https://my.ptg.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=43&MessageKey=69728c99-34c0-47e6-963a-69b82f73e308

    If it has the same overdamper action as on that instrument photographed there, it's a Viennese instrument possibly with Viennese action and really exceptional for playing Mozart. They were of the Emerich Betsy, Streicher and Bosendorfer and from memory Streicher were Brahms' favourite piano.

    You can tune it to equal temperament if you like but they are straight strung and other tuning schemes bring forward the resonance necessary to achieve full power. 

    This genre of instrument is to be highly prized.

    Some recordings of an 1854 Betsy on the model of this instrument are on https://jungleboffin.com/mp4/jill-crossland-unequal-tempered-fortepiano/ using the original strings before restringing.

    These instruments are rare and special and worth all efforts and expense to bring into good order.

    Just because an instrument isn't of the Steinway or Chickering stable doesn't mean it's junk.

    Best wishes

    David P

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    David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
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    +44 1342 850594



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-04-2022 23:15

    Sadly, it seems like the right piano in the wrong place.

    Here's one for sale. It does sound very fine, crisp and focused.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWU3Ob6F23U

    Here's an Ehrbar upright being rebuilt by a guy I've enjoyed watching, "Der Klaviermacher". Fun to see how things are done the other side of the water, and to get some exposure to German nomenclature.

    Many segments.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nhJBViochg

    Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thgm2ow5GKQ




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Friedrich Ehrbar (Austria, Wien) Grand 7 ft

    Posted 03-04-2022 23:22

    Looking at the Ehrbar upright getting rebuilt, those treble dampers mean business!

    And in Part 4, I see that Renner still makes the same damper parts.





    Original Message