1928 WINIFRED CHRISTIE on BECHSTEIN MOOR DUPLEX GRAND PIANO J. S. Bach Toccata and Fugue

[sukangeong]

One of these instruments (a Bechstein) was offered on ebay a few years ago. Starting bid (or perhaps BuyItNow price was US $10,000. It was located in Moscow, however, and i was unclear how one could have had the instrument inspected before buying, or shipped to the US (because of restrictions on ivory importation, there would almost certainly have been additional problems).

[aspergershawn]

How fascinating - especially the extended range afforded the pianist in playing such a range in one hand, and the chromatic glissando (I can do this on the regular piano - using two fingers of one hand to do it, just like using the back of the hand to do a regular diatonic glissando, but this one includes all the 12 notes). Very interesting video.

[SFChristo]

Thanks for showing this to us. One thing, "Though it looks similar to a two-manual harpsichord or organ, the function is very different: a two keyboard harpsichord allows a variation in tone by playing on two different set of strings. A harpsichord coupler couples the same keys on both keyboards." The harpsichord can have a 2nd or 3rd set of strings that are one octave higher, so the when these are on, one can couple the manuals and get two strings at pitch and one an octave higher (4' pitch)

[sanfranphono]

@SFChristo Yes, you are right, but this piano has an octave transmission on one set of strings, meaning it hits the note and the octave below. Haven't seen that on a harpsi. Multiplexing organs can of course do that, and I once played a harmonium, where two of the registers were octave transmissions.

[pianozuelo]

A wonderful recording and a nice compilation of images. However, it is Steinway & Sons that made the one piano (that is featured in the NYTimes video). Grotrian Steinweg is a different company and did not produce Moor pianos. Bechstein produced 12 short grands, 4 concert grands, and possibly one upright. The fourth pedal is only on the Steinway piano. The other makers used the three pedal lyre and converted the middle pedal into a coupler.

[sanfranphono]

Oops,. sorry about the confusion.

Steinway Hamburg it is.

Cheers

[sanfranphono]

Hello if you watch the NYT video, Christopher Taylor explains that the upper keyboard is harder, but then he plays the Goldbergs quite facile.

I would guess if you use the upper manual just to double organ points that's fine.

Also, I would guess like any coupler, if it is disengaged, the lower keyboard works freely,

Cheers,

[albanybeardguy]

Very interesting, but an instrument useful for only a certain spectrum of the repertory, unless more music is composed or arranged for it. I can only suppose the touch must be very like a tracker pipe organ: rather heavy when the keyboards are coupled. I'd suspect it's rather tricky to do subtle dynamic changes without a great deal of practice.

[kasyapa]

intriguing. thank you for this. reminds me of my long-held wish that some pedalier-equipped pianos would be recorded. schumann and alkan, as is well-known, liked them.

[colombosithon]

Thank you, Saint Francis Phono, for this fine addition to the Youtube library.  Excellently done.

[spannerworks1]

Excellent all round

Richard UK ;)

[sanfranphono]

Heavenly perhaps not, but an intrigueing document of a rare instrument.

Cheers and thanks

[Moooperator]

One word... Heavenly!