Simply the best sound available
Written: Dec 08 '00 (Updated Dec 08 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Outstanding craftmanship and sound
Cons: There are no cons -- this is the best piano in the world
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| Erich_Zann's Full Review: Steinway Model D |
Steinway isn't the most preferred piano by concert pianists for nothing -- the truly make the best piano's available today. Having spent many years playing Steinways in general, and always eagerly awaiting the next time I could play a model D, I can say from personal experience that nothing, I mean nothing, matches the sheer power put forth by this piano.
Most piano's have a unique sound, yes. Kawai, Baldwin, Yamaha -- they are all recognizable to some degree. And yet the Steinway model D is not just recognizable, not even noticable; it's striking. A Steinway should be immediately recognized when listening to piano CD's. Nothing sounds like it.
The low registers, that is the low bass notes, are raw power. This particular model of Steinway piano's provides a listener with an intensity in the low registers no other piano can. Most piano's (noticably Baldwin's) have bass notes that sound like a "thud", they just drop. Once the note is played, a heavy sound emmerges, then fades. Steinway bass notes are completely different -- the RING. A bass note on a Steinway doesn't "thud" it DINGS. :-) That is, the note clearly resonates forth from the bowels of the piano, and then rings, it lingers for a moment. This is not the same thing as the irritatingly sharp trebily sound of a Yamaha. Nothing matches the intensity of hearing Horowitz (a died in the wool Steinway player) pound out Liszt or Prokofiev on his 9 foot Model D.
The middle register has a fabulous tone, perfect for Chopin, Mozart, or any other lyrical composer. An amazing degree of flexibility is offered the performer in terms of timbre and dynamics.
The high register is like crystal. A sparkling array of notes is what you get. This isn't to limit the possibility of dynamics and timre though. Similar to the middle register, one can play smooth, one can play sharp. The amount of latitude given the player is unmatched by any other piano.
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a top Steinway piano technician, during which we literally disassembled completely a Model D, cleaned and fixed it, then put it together again and tuned it. I can say from this experience that no other piano is built as solid as the Model D. From the method of constructing the wooden frame to the tuning pegs, each piece is crafted with the utmost care. All Steinway model D's are constructed by hand, either in the New York facility or the Hamburg facility.
Remember, like this technician told me: There are Steinway models S, B, and D. Small, Big, and DAMN Big. :-)
Though not for normal home use (these piano's run close to $100,000), any college or university, church or activity center wishing to buy a top of the line piano should seriously consider this piano.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Erich_Zann
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Member: Andrew Lance
Location: Portland, OR
Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 1 member
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