Duplex grand pianoforte.
2
InstrumentGrand fortepiano |
Instrument FamilyKeyboard |
MakerWeber (The Aeolian Co. Ltd.) |
Place MadeEurope; England; London; United Kingdom |
Date Made1922 or 1925 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Two-manual grand piano. The lowest manual has the standard compass, A*0 - C₈, the upper manual C*0 - C₇, sounding an octave above the corresponding lower manual key. Three pedals, the left-hand pedal moving the hammer closer to the string, the middle pedal acts as an octave changer (pressing alters the lower manual from normal pitch to an octave higher), and the right-hand pedal raises the dampers. There is also a handstop which places metal strips between the hammer and the strings, so that when the hammer is pressed it hits the metal bar which in turn hits the strings causing a `jangly' sound. The handstop is on the left-hand lower-manual endblock. Ivory naturals, ebony accidentals, natural headlengths 51 (lower manual), 45 (upper manual), accidental lengths 87 (both manuals). Three-octave span 498. Stained oak veneered case, dark mahogany colour. Laminated beech bridges, soundboard at an angle of approximately 45° to the spine. `Sunburst' design fretwork on the music desk. Double prop-stick for long and short positions. Modern grand piano case shape with joint between the curved tail and the bentside. The total height of the instrument from the floor to the top of the lid is 1050, the distance from the floor to the top of the lower manual natural touchplates 737, upper manual 763. At the back of the lower manual natural keyplates are ivory (?) blanks, length c 25, the top surfaces at the same height as the top of the accidental touchplates to reduce the gap between the height of the two keyboards so that the player can play both keyboards with the one hand. Dampers from A*0 - C₆. A*0 - F₁ single overspun strings; F♯₁ - B₁ double strings, overspun; C₂ - C♯₃ triple strung, overspun; D₃ - C₈ triple strung steel. String lengths and striking points; A*0 1955 (235), C₁ 1943 (230), F₁ 1890 (220), C₂ 1708, (215), F₂ 1646 (200), C₃ 1273 (155), F₃ 1010 (130), C₄ 645 (85), F₄ 487 (60), C₅ 330 (48), F₅ 255 (30), C₆ 175 (28), F₆ 136 (18), C₇ 91 (12), F₇ 73 (10), C₈ 50 (8). Overall size: 2834. Body length: 2834. Body width: 1575. Body depth: 420. Inscribed in gilt script on the front part of the keylid on the upper surface "Weber / THE AEOLIAN Co. Ltd."; "WEBER / (AEOLIAN) / LONDON" and "THE AEOLIAN / COMPANY. LTD" on the cast frame just behind the nameboard. Specific literature references: Tovey, 1922. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.30. |
NotesD.P. Martin, 1996-1997. |
Measurements2834.; Pedals: 68.58cm wide at widest point, 53.34cm long at longest point, 29.1cm deep at tallest point. Legs: 22.86cm diameter at widest point, 81.28cm long. |
ProvenanceReid Collection. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number1599 |