Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A lovely piano that I would love to have.


(Picture by the Metropolitan Museum of Art)


This utterly ornate piano is actually displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The piano was made by the London branch of Erard, a very respected French piano manufacturer in the 19th century; Erard pianos were favored and played by many of the greatest composers and virtuosos of the day. Its birthday is around 1840s, and being a very old piano, its number of keys is far more less than the modern piano's, which is 88.

A part of its description given by the museum is as follows:

"This piano, made in the London branch of the Érard firm, features the double repetition action, felt-covered hammers, and a constructed metal frame. The richly marquetried Louis XV–style case by George H. Blake was commissioned by the second Lord Foley, baron of Kidder, minister for Witley Court, his residence in Herefordshire/Worcestershire."

Certainly a beautiful instrument, and I wish I can play it for just once.


Reference: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/amcm/ho_59.76.htm

No comments:

Post a Comment