Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum MY NEW PIANO or KEYBOARD! - Share Your Story! My New Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7'0" Semi-Concert Grand Piano

Recently took receipt on my new Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7'0" Semi-Concert Grand Piano - Made in the USA - delivered direct from the factory!



Stunning 1,100 lb instrument (weighs more than a Steinway D 8'11" Concert Grand), even more gorgeous sound... from it's growling bass, to it's singing tenor and a crystal clear treble!



Only 150-200 a year hand-crafted in a factory just north of Boston (Haverhill, MA).



The Golden Age is back... Mason & Hamlin is not only making the finest piano built in the USA today, but perhaps in the world right now! Wait until you hear it sing...

Below you can see some pictures with its sibling.. my 1980 Yamaha C3 6'1" Conservatory Grand, a fine piano in its own right... but not in same league as the Model BB. I truly believe that at the 7'0" size, there is no comparable instrument in the world!




Stay tuned!

Jason Solomonides

Franz Liszt - Transcription of Bach's Organ Fantasia & Fugue in Gm
Jason Solomonides, pianist
Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” with PianoDisc iQ HD
Recorded September 25, 2015

https://youtu.be/LyouWZ91AHs?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO

This MIDI performance was first digitally recorded using an 88-Key Yamaha Disklavier CLP-560 Digital Piano in 1992. This recording, completed on September 25, 2015, is a re-performance of this same work on a Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” Semi-Concert Grand Piano, equipped with PianoDisc iQ and Silent Drive HD.

Mr. Solomonides was awarded First Prize - Hartford Symphony Competition (1981), Performer of Connecticut Competition (1981), Greater Hartford Youth Orchestra Competition (1981), Hartt School of Music Concerto Competition (1985)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Franz Liszt - 'Orage' (Storm) from Annees de Pelerinage, "Suisse"
Jason Solomonides, pianist
Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0”, with PianoDisc iQ HD
Recorded September 25, 2015

https://youtu.be/G09AZZc_mno?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO

This MIDI performance was first digitally recorded using an 88-Key Yamaha Disklavier CLP-560 Digital Piano in 1992. This recording, completed on September 25, 2015, is a re-performance of this same work on a Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” Semi-Concert Grand Piano, equipped with PianoDisc iQ and Silent Drive HD.

Mr. Solomonides was awarded First Prize - Hartford Symphony Competition (1981), Performer of Connecticut Competition (1981), Greater Hartford Youth Orchestra Competition (1981), Hartt School of Music Concerto Competition (1985)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Yamaha C is the wrong comparison. Mason & Hamlin BB should be compared with Yamaha S, which is more expensive.

Mason & Hamlin BB has beautiful sound, but I won't say nothing else sound better. Although I don't have money, I have very acute preference for musical quality since I was a teenager. I am fond of Steinway M, M&H BB, and Baltimore Knabe (king of golden age). As expensive as my taste is, I don't buy them new. Then I was humbled when I hear the sound of a Bosendofer. Here is the reality, people will kill me for telling truth; that is, Yahama is the 100% owner of Bosendofer.The world has changed, hasn't it?

At any rate, you have got a high quality piano. Congratulations.

Beautiful Mason & Hamlin. It looks, though, as if it's awfully close to the fireplace!

Regards,

Fireplace in Music Room is Gas-only. It has been turned off, only to be possibly used during a power outage when no other source of heat is available. Placement is away from outside walls and blowing vents and heaters, with twin high volume ultrasonic humidifiers maintaining a constant 40%, and whole-house A/C with zone control for Summer. I had similar placement concerns, but when you have two large grand pianos in one room, options are a bit limited! So far, tuning is extremely stable in current location. Thanks for the concern!

With respect to Yamaha C3, the 1980-era may have been some of Yamaha's finest products, far superior to today's C-series and before the excellent S-series was even available. I selected it at the age of 17 - having recently won some piano competitions - from the old Watkins Bros Steinway dealer in Hartford, CT, which carried both Steinway and Yamaha. That particular instrument outshone five other Yamaha C and G series as well as all of the Steinways, which were at a low point having been owned by CBS throughout the 70's and early 80's. I have always loved my Yamaha, as well as many S-series and Kawai RS-series, but none of the Japanese pianos match the Model BB, including the Yamaha S6, except for Shigeru Kawai's of larger size. A S7 at 7'6" also might, but I have not personally found one that can match any of the three M&H Model BB's I auditioned at the factory recently. I have been looking for an outstanding Semi-Concert Grand for over thirty years, and this is the first one that knocked my socks off, relative to it's uniform sound, responsiveness and value.

As far as US or European competitors to the M&H Model BB, the Hamburg and NY Steinway B at 6'11" cannot come close to match it, nor can Bechstein, Schimmel (also Yamaha owned I believe) or Bluthner at this size... need a Concert Grand from each to match it. The Model BB asymmetrical sound board provides the instrument with a much larger soundboard than other pianos at this size. The full perimeter cast iron plate and unique hand-built construction of time-consuming assembly of an inner rim, custom fitting the soundboard and tension resonator for crown retention, followed by the outer rim, provide a rim/soundboard fit and continuity of sound transmission that is not matched in mass produced pianos, nor in many hand-built pianos. The Wessell, Nichol, Gross carbon-fiber/composite action also is quicker, more responsive and consistent than any other competitor out there, including Renner Blue and Steinway NY. If you haven't played a new M&H with one (standard since 2011), you haven't experienced the full capability of a new M&H. The only European (or US) instruments that I have played in the last decade that match the breadth of sound and responsiveness of today's Model BB at this size are the Fazioli F228 and Bosendorfer 225 which when new are more then twice the retail cost and more than five times what I paid for my new instrument. Certainly meant no disrespect in my post, was just shocked to find a new hand-made instrument of this quality available at this price range. Would urge others to give M&H models a try!

Congratulations on a beatiful piano. The BB is one I would have wanted to take a look at. Nothing like the feeling of owning the piano of your dreams.

Thanks for all the positive comments on the purchase of my new Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7'0" Semi-Concert Grand. Thought you all might all like to hear a sample MIDI playback of Sergei Rachmaninoff playing Paderewski's Minuet in G on the Model BB via PianoDisc iQ with SilentDrive HD. Piano has had it's first tuning and action adjustment since this recording was made, and sounds even better than this sample... but it gives you some idea of the piano's expressive tone and dynamics. It's also historic listening to a great master play my very own piano!

https://www.facebook.com/jason.solomonides/videos/10207823379971256/?pnref=story

Dear Jason,
Thanks for the pictures and wonderful recordings. And also the PianoDisc Rachmaninoff reproduction - wow!
I'm also delighted with my MH BB, brother of yours (serial nr. 93593). Even though I don't have a PD installed, it brings us home so much fun, to me and my 10 yo daughter.
Bellow I share some pictures, and youtube videos. I hope you enjoy.
Best wishes!









http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2279701/Mason_&_Hamlin_finally_at_.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooi0JCbEzVQ&list=PLnkemINf3YXgpQ0XrMVkOgnjBooG3xSPc

Thank you Piano_Brazil,

Have enjoyed visiting your links, pictures, and the story about the move of your 2013 Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7'0" to Brazil, which given it's serial number 93593 was probably in the Haverhill, MA factory during the same six months mine was built (serial number 93623). So they truly are brothers! You've had some legendary classical and jazz pianists visit your instrument upon delivery as well! I too have been enjoying this beautiful instrument - my pianist friends are blown away when they sit down and play it. The Model BB was and still is a legendary scale design... as Pianist Garrick Ohlsson has said during a recent interview with Eric Johnson - the Mason & Hamlin instruments probably have the finest alto section in the business. In addition, the full sound from its growling and complex bass to its crystal clear treble is incredible, and the addition of the Wessel, Nickel and Gross Composite / Carbon Fiber action has given these modern Model BB instruments a dynamic range and responsiveness that is unmatched in the industry. I am in the process of reworking all of my repertoire with the intent to create new digital recordings and create PianoTube Live & MIDI tracks, via ProRecord.

In the meantime, my good friend Peter Phillips in Australia - a pioneer in the piano roll & emulation industry - has made available two Duo-Art roll emulations 7316/7317 issued in 4-1929 of the great Harold Bauer performing Bach's Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue in Dm. After my M&H piano technician recently visited for the piano's first key easing and regulation, I thought it might be fun to record this performance on my Mason & Hamlin BB - as Mr. Bauer was one of the most famous proponents of this prestigious maker back in the Golden Age! So here for your enjoyment is this performance, courtesy of PianoDisc iQ with SilentDrive HD:

https://youtu.be/jAItGVcwrKo

Harold Bauer, pianist
Bach - Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in Dm
Peter Phillips Duo-Art Rolls 7316/7317 (4-1929)
Mason & Hamlin 7' Model BB Serial # 93623
via PianoDisc iQ SilentDriveHD

P.S. Harold Bauer was also a visiting professor of piano performance at the Hartt School of Music in Hartford CT following WWII, and subsequently went on to become Chairman of Piano, Manhattan School of Music in NYC until his death in 1951. During that time, my teacher, Prof. Raymond Hanson, Chairman of Piano at Hartt School for over forty years through 1992 (and still teaching at age 96 in Heath, MA!!!) taught along side Prof. Harold Bauer, who also served as his mentor. Attached is a link to his "Memoirs Of Harold Bauer As A Teacher":

http://www.johnmortensen.com/hanson-ipq.pdf

Jason -

You should DEFINITELY SHARE this video/recording with the folks at Mason and Hamlin.

Absolutely stunning!

I had the pleasure of playing a BB recently. Gorgeous sound! You may be right that it is the best grand of its size in tonality and quality. Would love to have one but alas don't have the space.

Looking forward to some sound files soon!

Dear Jason,
Thanks so much for your words, friendship, and sharing of wonderful music!
Please let me know if you ever want to come down to Brazil as my guest. You´ll be very welcome.
Best wishes.

Thank you Carey, Antaeus and Piano_Brazil!

My plan has been to build-up and re-record my repertoire on my new M&H 7'0 BB new instrument... and that has been going pretty well. But interestingly enough, I recently viewed a fantastic Leif Ove Andsnes Steinway D selection at the Hamburg factory, for his recent Beethoven tour and Mr. Andsnes played the most hauntingly beautiful Edvard Grieg - Lyric Piece - Op. 68, No.5 Cradle Song ('Badnlat'), to compare instruments. I grew up playing many of these Lyric Pieces in my early years of study, but was unfamiliar with this particular song. So I decided to work on it, over the past week and recorded it before work yesterday morning - after dropping off our almost 4 year old twins at daycare! Thought that others might enjoy the piece and it's demonstration of the lyrical and singing nature of the Model BB:

https://youtu.be/I66-20d1f70

P.S. As Chief Engineer of Controls at P&W, we have been recently doing a lot of work with Embraer on their new EJets E2 ERJ-175 and 190/195 with our GearedTurboFans, so if I am ever scheduled to go to Brazil on business, I'll be sure to try and connect with you Piano_Brazil!!!

Beautifully played Jason !!!!!

I've sent you a PM.

Carey (Phil)

Thanks for the wondeful music, Jason!

And please save 2-3 days in your schedule to visit my place in Florianopolis and Guarda do Embau, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, where my Mason resides. You're very welcome, and if you fly Azul Airlines, you'll probably test your own TurboFans!

Best wishes,
Felipe

Thank you Felipe (Piano_Brazil) and Phil (Carey)!

As I've been working on some old and new repertoire to record and share, (including Mendelssohn-Liszt "On Wings of Song", Schubert Impromptu in Gb, Op. 90, Bach-Busoni Chaconne in Dm, Scarlatti Sonatas, Rachmaninoff Preludes, etc.) I also went back to my Digital recordings from over 20 years ago and found a couple more to share, as played back on my Mason & Hamlin BB; Schumann Papillons, Op. 2 and Liszt Consolation No. 3 in Db. It's funny that I often don't listen to my old recordings, but I especially like the Schumann. It's an overlooked 'gem' set of variations that tell a story of attending "A Masked Ball", with the clock striking at the very end. So I thought I would share. I also added it to a YouTube playlist of past live recordings, which include my recording of the Liszt Piano Concerto No.1 in Eb, with the Hartt Symphony Orchestra in 1985 at age 21 and of the Grieg Piano Concerto in Am (1st movement) with the Greater Hartford Youth Orchestra in 1981 at age 17, if anyone is interested. Enjoy!

Jason Solomonides - Schumann: Papillons, Op. 2

Robert Schumann: Papillons, Op. 2
Jason Solomonides, pianist
Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” with PianoDisc iQ HD
Recorded March 18, 2016

https://youtu.be/JGihayD9FCo?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO

Jason Solomonides - Liszt: Consolation No. 3 in Db

Franz Liszt - Consolation No. 3 in Db
Jason Solomonides, pianist
Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” with PianoDisc iQ HD
Recorded March 18, 2016

https://youtu.be/xKsHtAF57_I?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO

Both MIDI performances were first digitally recorded using an 88-Key Yamaha Disklavier CLP-560 Digital Piano in 1992. The recordings, completed on March 18, 2016, are a re-performance of the same works on a Mason & Hamlin Model BB 7’0” Semi-Concert Grand Piano, equipped with PianoDisc iQ and Silent Drive HD.

Mr. Solomonides was awarded:
First Prize - Hartford Symphony Competition (1981)
First Prize - Performer of Connecticut Competition (1981)
Winner - Greater Hartford Youth Orchestra Competition (1981) - Grieg Concerto Am
https://youtu.be/udKjPrt8jXM?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO
Winner - Hartt School of Music Concerto Competition (1985) - Liszt Concerto Eb
https://youtu.be/2YqQ-OpIQBk?list=PLkP65I5BsNiq8-p9W3fyJKgMc7oqXCdQO

Congratulations on your new piano!

Mine is serial #93607, so it must have been just before yours and just after Felipe's.

Thank you Benjamin!

I've been meaning to write you a PM for some time now... I've enjoyed your YouTube performances and development of the Blumenfeld Etude for the Left Hand, as well as your recent recording of the Chopin/Godowsky, and semi-recent performance of one of the Rachmaninoff Etude Tableaus. I also was pretty amazed that we both performed the Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb back in college and that we ended up selecting M&H Model BB's after a long search... in fact I mentioned that fact in a post reply to Heather Reichgott just last evening! I never realized that Felipe, yours and my Model BB's were all built so closely together in the first half of 2013. Since annual production at M&H is around 150 for ALL models per year right now (for reference in August 2015, a Model BB I was also assessing right off the production line was #93835), and our Model BBs are just 16 apart, I can guarantee they were built alongside each other - Interior and Exterior Rims, Soundboards, Bridges, probably all cut, prepped, glued and cured at same time, in same humidity controlled drying rooms. Maybe our two Pianos themselves were assembled at approximately the same time!

Carey (Phil) and I have been commenting at how consistent the Burgett era BB's from 2000 to now are in tone and sonority. When I was auditioning amongst three Model BB's on the sixth floor at the factory, I did eliminate one pretty quickly, but I had a hard time downselecting between the Satin #93835 and my Polished #93623; both were even, had the famous growling bass, sonorous tenor, unparalleled alto and crystal treble section. In the end, I selected #93623 because it had superior voicing, a little more lyrical character and seemed to "bloom" more for me. I also unexpectedly found out after the selection process that I could get a slightly better deal on it because it was built in 2013 vs. 2015.

One thing of note... the Wessell-Nickel-Gross (WNG) composite/carbon-fber action - standard on all M&H pianos since 2011... offers a degree of touch and control that I believe is unparalleled in the market today. This results in each of M&H's handmade pianos being more even and consistent than I have seen from other high end piano manufacturers. This action only enhances the legendary M&H BB scale design, which has always been a favorite of vocalists and instrumentalists for it's sonority and orchestral quality... this has been true from the Golden Age to this day. It is my opinion that the WNG action has addressed what was once the weakest point of the M&H product line and made it one of it's strongest. The prior M&H wood action offerings (be they Renner-sourced or other) were typically too heavy and slow for me and also the single reason why I had never considered purchasing the Model BB before. Kudos to Bruce Clark, Kirk Burgett and Mike Collins for their vision and perseverance in bringing this to market! Manufacturers such as Steingrahber & Sohnes and exceptional designers such as Del Fandrich are offering the WNG action in high end models, recommending it for rebuilds and recently made it standard on all new Weber Grands manufactured by Young Chang.

Keep up the good work - both in your chosen technical career, and in your continued development as a pianist. With two four year old twin daughters, and a full-time career as Chief of Controls at P&W... I'm trying to do the same... And enjoy your beautiful instrument as well!

Thanks Jason!