Grotrian Steinweg

[chopinfan]

Hi! Do you know anything of these pianos?

[dinosaurtales]

I know some things, but not everything.  I am going to travel to play a couple at the end of this month.  What all do you need to know?

[chopinfan]

I want to know if it has a sound similar to the one of the Steinway and something about the mechanic it has and it had in the 1960s.

Thanks anyway.

[dinosaurtales]

Hm.  I am going to "guess" that the Grotrians will have a more pure sound - because it's a German piano, the sound will be based more on the fundamental tone, and will rely less on higher harmonics, like the Steinway does.  I won't know for sure till I play one - probably next month.  I'll fill you in if we don't find out from someone else in the meantime!

[G.Fiore]

The sound of the new production Grotrian pianos  can be described as a having a very powerful bass more so than a piano such as Bechstein.The treble has a very long dwell time with more initial attack than Steinway ,producing an almost wooden flute like character.These pianos are engineered to have a powerful tone,especially in the larger instruments,so that they are at home in a large concert venue or in conjuntion with an orchestra .The actions are made by Renner to Grotrians specifications.I would not compare Grotrian to Steinway,it would be like comparing apples and oranges.A closer analogy would be more like having the tonal characteristics of both Fazioli and Bluthner.

[dinosaurtales]

That's very interesting.  In my search (I am looking at 7+ footers) Fazioli and Bluthner are at the top of my list.  Sounds like I will enjoy the Grotrian!  i'm not sure I get the "wooden flute" analogy, yet, though.

[tosca1]

Was it the preferred piano of Robert's wife Clara Schumann? I think so.  It is a distinguished make among pianos although I have heard  a couple of old ones possibly neglected which sounded very ordinary. On the other hand I believe that the firm is still turning out beautiful pianos.  
Robert