I am so proud of myself for overcoming the fears that I have had over the past year to travel into the big city and explore the pianos on Piano Row, as well as Allegro Pianos (just north of the city). I traveled by Amtrak to Stamford where Ori met with Bernard (traveling from the Brooklyn) and myself. Then used the inexpensive Fung Wah busline from Chinatown to travel back to Boston two days later.

There have been two uprights that I wanted to try before concluding my upright quest. The Bluthner and the Grotrian.

Allegro Pianos

We were very impressed with both Ori and his whole operation. (see pics below) The shop is warm and comfortable, filled with finely prepped grands and a few uprights. Although I was there to try the Bluthner upright (and loved it) I am now affording myself the luxury of trying grands as well. When, if not now?

An enthused Ori gave us Piano Course 101, 201, 301, and even 401 - hearing and evaluating tones! (smile Ori)

This helped greatly as we explored the pianos and evaluated what we were hearing. I now can 'hear' the attack, sustain, and decay much better. Most interesting was hearing how the Estonia's attack seems to 'open' immediately into more sound rather than just dropping off. I guess that is what gives it its lushness.

He then left us, upon request, to just play them all!

The Bluthner upright has a beautiful pure tone (as well with the grands). Plenty of ability for power, yet having a cleaner bass than I have noted on others. Playing chords in the bass did not sound too rich or muddled. Playing Bass melodies was heavenly.

Bernard and I then started on the grands. Bluthner - all three sizes were nice. Would that we could, own one!
Mason Hamlin - personal preference was the BB (no surprise!) but it was fun to watch Ori immediately perform an action adjustment to the AA and reposition it to the next room for sound differences.
Estonia - Knowing many owners on PW are in love with Estonias, I was anxious to hear them in person. It was a different sound which enveloped romantic pieces. And the furniture exquisite.

Allegro Pianos is divided into two rooms. This helps us relate to a home setting.





The Bluthner upright

]

Ori doing a quick action adjustment...,



which made a big difference when I played.


Ori makes his clients feel very special, and that we did, while playing until 7PM! He's lucky we didn't camp out there!!!


----------------------------------------------

Bernard graciously offered to have me stay at his home in Brooklyn and be my travel companion and '3rd and 4th ear' (I'd say 2nd, but we have two each!) Thank you Bernard.

I love this pic of Bernard at home with one of his pet Love Birds perched on his head!



Because of the number of pic limitations on PW, I will start a PART 2 for exploring Piano Row in NYC.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/1/15990.html


LL

What wonderful trip ... great pics and story...

Great pics!!

Nice story.

Is that a picture of Rubinstein playing a Blüthner in the background?

Great story Roberta. Thanks for sharing. It's hard to imagine having a better piano shopping experience. One consequence though may be to have to choose between multiple pianos which can be just as difficult as finding the one.

Thanks, Roberta, for telling your story and posting your pictures. It is always a pleasure to see the face behind the avatar and occasionally being suprised, as I was this time. Ori's posts have always been so informative and detailed that I had imagined him as being much older.

In the 5th picture down there is an Estonia in the foreground - what is the veneer on that piano?

Thanks for the pics. Such eye candy! I'll never get enough of looking at pictures of pianos.

Derick

Roberta... thanks for sharing your NYC shopping adventure (Part I) and glad to see you were able to take pics for our viewing pleasure!

I like the casual pic of Ori... a bit different than the pics I've become accustomed to viewing of him in Clavier magazine!!


and Bernard... how generous of you to assist Roberta with her piano shopping. I keep scrolling up to catch another glimpse of you and the love bird. Too cute!!

Great Story. It's quite the education, isn't it?!...and of course, awesomely prepped, great sounding pianos. I'm glad your trip went smoothly.

Yup, great piano adventure!

F T P, It has been difficult to find 'the one', mainly because the higher end uprights have not been easily available. I have had to wait months for some coming to USA to try.

And when they are, you have to remember what the feel/action/sound/tone was from a few months ago at the 'other' piano that you/I have tried.

AND TRAVEL.

M K,
Ori is most informative. But you left out 'handsome'! Mind over matter though. He has that as well.

P - I have no idea on the photo as I was looking at the pianos. Maybe someone else can tell?

Derick - someone else needs to answer.

TT- I have several pics of Bernard's Love Birds. Will send privately!

And all...thanks for the well wishes. Just hoping to share an experience to encourage others to take the time and explore before purchasing.

I have had several wonderful piano shopping experiences. The dealers and showrooms show their passion. Why else would they be in this business?

LL

Lilylady,
When you started this thread I was away, traveling, and couldn't comment.
I'd like to thank you for your kind and warm words.
I had a great time meeting with both you and Bernard, and I'm glad that you seem to have enjoyed your visit here too and deemed it worthwhile.
Thank you also for posting the lovely pictures, one of which reminded me that I gained more weight during my wife's last pregnancy than she did. It is needless to mention, since it's rather evident from the picture, that while she lost all the extra pounds…I didn't.

Pianistical,
Indeed, it is a picture of Rubinstein playing on a Bluthner.
In fact, the poster is quoting some lines from Arthur Rubinstein's biography under the picture.
It is telling about a time when Mr. Rubinstein, after an evening out went to a Recording studio along with a friend. The friend asked Mr. Rubinstein to play the Bluthner at the recording studio. Mr. Rubinstein was doubtful at first about playing it, since it wasn't a full concert grand (I think it was the model 2 at 7'8), but when he did he had that to say, as can be read on page 281 of his biography, My many years:

"Well, this Bluthner had the most beautiful singing tone I have ever found. I became quite enthusiastic and decided to play my beloved Barcarolle of Chopin. The piano inspired me. I don't think I ever played better in my life"

Arthur Rubinstein.[/b]

I thought that you, pianistical, as a Bluthner owner and fan would find the story interesting.
The picture of Rubinstein you referred to playing the Bluthner is from another time of course, and he is playing there on a Bluthner upright.

Derick,
Assuming you're talking about the picture that also has the Rubinstein poster in the background, the Estonia is finished in Mahogany.
Unfortunately, if you thought about changing your Imperial to this lovely 5'6, you'd be heartbroken to learn that this instrument has already been sold...
Alas, there will always be another one if you're tired of all that black and extra keys…

Ori,

I am familiar with the story as I have read his autobiography. It is nice to see a matching picture to it.

I also wonder if the tones of one piano sets the other pianos in vibration? Is is noticeable when playing?

The dampers silence most of the strings of neighboring pianos.

--Cy--

I forgot about that. The undampened treble strings probably have too little sustain and resonance to be noticed.

It is quite amazing that, when pressing the sustain pedal, one can hear the voice long after the singer has stopped singing.

Yes, that's the piano. Beautiful finish. It wouldn't look good in my room, but a beautiful piano nonetheless.

Derick