During the performance of Jacob Collier at the most recent NAMM show I was reminded that music makes us human, that beauty binds us together as a collective, and that the reason the music industry exists is to aid in the creation of art. I needed that reminder without which, the annual trade show featuring many of the great piano makers is just the sale of wares. I believe that people are feeling the uncertainty at the grassroots level and making music is one of the pleasant distractions we all need to face the constant bombardment, the barrage of voices that rob us of joy. In summation, this year’s inspiration was the message to keep playing, keep discovering, keep creating art and pursue beauty daily.
With a smaller show, not only in attendance but acoustic piano vendors, it lent itself to better discussions about what areas are succeeding and what areas are quickly changing. On the first day, it was a delight to have a quiet morning in the Fazioli room. I had a brief conversation with the owner and founder Paolo Fazioli. After playing all of the pianos in the room, I had the pleasure of talking with Rick Baldassin who told me, “working on these instruments at the trade show is a pure delight”. We spoke about voicing and he informed me about his procedures which have been posted on the Renner website. Outside the Fazioli booth was QRS, whose ambition is to capture recordings of artists and bring them to your living room. QRS faithfully reproduces artist’s recordings and the pianos now can be digitally controlled from any smartphone. New this year was a self-playing trumpet to join the music of the self-playing piano. When I arrived, the big screen displayed the music of Chris Botti while his notes were piped through the trumpet. https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/qrs-music/
The Kawai room displayed many of the pianos in their line. I also had a sneak preview of some early releases of beautiful pianos to be released within the year. Also housed in their booths was one of my absolute favorite pianos, the Shigeru Kawai concert grand (SK-EX). If there is a holy grail of piano touch, this piano is one that I feel most connected to. And while I will never own a concert grand in my home, the entire line of Shigeru Kawai pianos contain instruments worthy of great performers.
Next, I stepped into the Bechstein room. Over the last few years, Bechstein, one of the most famous European brands, has been busy systematically consolidating and updating designs of their uprights and grand pianos. Built in Germany with blue-tooth built into each piano is the Bechstein brand. The Hoffmann brand, built in Czech Republic also features blue-tooth connectivity in their Traditional and Professional lines. This connectivity allows for seamless recording of the piano with midi data. It also allows for the possibility of creating a silent piano with the addition of a factory stop-rail. Silent pianos have gained massive popularity in recent years. While staying true to the acoustic manufacturing process, the silent option essentially blocks the hammers from striking the strings, allowing headphone usage. Relatively new is the entry-level Zimmermann line to Bechstein’s expanding line.
Yamaha and Bösendorfer always have 2 rooms – the large conference room that houses all sorts of instruments. There were a few upright and grand pianos but it’s honestly challenging to hear them through the crowd and other instruments being played. I did, however have access to the premier piano room that houses the CFX, SX Yamaha grands as well as a brand new Bösendorfer concert grand. The touch and tone response was incredible. They seem to have taken dynamic ranges further so that the quiet playing is even softer while the ultra loud levels are explosive. I’m not sure I’ve ever played a piano with such a wide dynamic level. That was incredible! Equal but different was the Yamaha CFX that we recently featured. Be sure to give that article a read as well. Also on display was the dazzling Alicia Keys Yamaha grand piano.
The 88 Keys Piano Lounge hosts other makers in a larger convention room:
Mason & Hamlin continue their expansion of line of lower cost pianos, manufacturing a very viable option for these power-house pianos. Their primary line is built in the USA while the new lower cost version is built in China.
Sauter was on display with beautiful pianos designed by Peter Maly. Their exquisite chic models of uprights and dazzling Ambiente grand are, in my opinion some of the best-looking pianos in the world. Sauter also has a proprietary upright action that is beautiful to play. Manufactured in Germany.
Young Chang is a Korean company and has completely undergone a re-boot from the ground up. They have new pianos being manufactured in China as well as a division called KPOP which stands for Korean Previously Owned Pianos. These pianos are taken back to the factory and reconditioned, finishing in trendy colors. I like the “upcycle” idea of this. There are so many pianos on the planet. Why not remake these older ones into a usable option for sale?
Other makers included Hallet Davis, Weber, Pianoli, Story & Clark, Pearl River and Ritmuller.
It was a good show. I enjoyed getting to know more people involved in the trade. The show attendance I heard was around 60,000 people, down from the 110,000 pre-covid but understandable as the fires of California were raging at the same time. It’s always a great time previewing new and different offerings and getting a sense of where the trade is headed. We have some great interviews that were done over during NAMM and look forward to sharing those with you so stay tuned!
