I'm heading over to Rome for some business, but am taking a couple extra days to explore. Any piano stores in Rome that I should hit - anyone recommend a store where I could try out a Fazioli??

I'll report back after the trip...

thanks...

bump...

I personally don't know any store in Rome that sells Fazioli but try to send a request to info@fazioli.it

I was in Rome for a short break over the summer. I didn't notice any piano stores. However, if you have a couple of days to explore you might find there are enough places to go and things to do other than piano shopping.

I found a "piano store" while I was wandering somewhere near the Vatican. I was intrigued because it had a sign "Steinway Corner - Digital Pianos" out front. I went inside and there was 1 Hamburg Steinway grand near the front window. When I tried to play it, the owner quickly ran over and barked something at me in Italian that definitely got the message across. The rest of the store was sheet music and other instruments if I remember correctly.

I lived in Rome for two years, and much as I loved it, I didn't find it to be as consumer-friendly as the U.S.

One of my most vivid memories: a few weeks after I arrived in Rome, I was stocking up on groceries and stopped at a fruit & vegetable stand. There were baskets overflowing onto the sidewalk that were brimming with luscious looking apples, oranges, lemons, kiwis, peppers . . . everything imaginable. I innocently picked up an apple to inspect its underside, and was quite severely chastised by the shop's owner. This is how I learned that in Rome one doesn't touch an item of produce before actually committing to its purchase!

Given that, I wouldn't hold out much hope that Roman piano dealers will take kindly to any but the most committed shoppers trying out their pianos . . . but the next time I go to Rome, I'm going to look for a piano dealer and find out myself!

Carol

You can try a Fazioli at your "local" Fazioli dealer: Merriam Music in Toronto.

well, I've returned from Rome and in fact did find a very nice piano store - not big by North American standards, but it had a reasonable selection.

The store was located close the the Spanish Steps on Via dei Greci - a narrow, cobblestoned street off the Via del Corso. I forgot the name of the place - but it's right next door to the Lion Bookshop - an English language bookshop.

You have to buzz to get in, but the owner was more than happy for me to look around and play. His English was limited but we could get by. In his shop he had a C. Bechstein ~7' grand, a Hamburg Steinways Model A and B, a couple Yamaha grands and a Fazioli 212. My memorized repertoire is a little sparse, but after hearing me play the Bechstein for a bit, he came back into the showroom, uncovered the Fazioli and said "you must try this".

I played the various pianos for about 30 minutes or so. I didn't like the S&S Model A at all. Thought the sound was a too dark, not defined enough and the touch was very heavy. It would be more than a workout to play this piano. The B was much nicer - full rich tone, a good even touch - in some ways quite similar to my NY B at home.

The Fazioli was a treat to play. The most even and silky smooth touch I think I've ever laid hands on. From around the middle of the piano on down it had tremendous tone - resonant and full. The top end of the treble was a little too bright for my tastes, but I expect this could be dealt with. Clearly a very fine piano.

So there is a piano life in downtown Rome!

Hi gmf001,

Thanks for the very useful information! I'm going to print your post, tuck it inside our Blue Guide to Rome, and then make sure we visit the piano shop next time we're there.

I vaguely remember Via dei Greci. I used to know that area well many years ago. In a quick Google search I just found this: "On Via dei Greci you will find Santa Cecilia, Rome’s most famous conservatory of music, and the Lion Bookshop, the oldest English bookshop in Rome." Sounds like the perfect place for a piano shop!

Carol