C. Bechstein piano--including Liszt's

As I mentioned in previous post finding performances on other than Steinway grands can take awhile.

Here's a few performances on C. Bechstein pianos, the first one being played (really well) on a piano once owned by Liszt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi2Hr6-4Zeo&feature=relmfu

I'd take a top quality upright over that one-for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkMrvk-FIPA&feature=relmfu

and:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mdoVHcx84Q&list=PLC5DE5EF72EC97AAF&index=4

Love to hear someone explain this Bechstein 2-piano set-up. What a rarity!

and:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXOfJsPNSoc&list=PLC5DE5EF72EC97AAF&index=5

Of course due to variations of top quality pianos, even in their own class, various room acoustics and how the miking is done can make a great piano sound bad and vice-versa.

Anyhow, nice to hear one of the other great pianos.

Bech

The tuning is a little off on some notes, but it still sounds a lot better than any upright I've played.

ando,

Get a chance, try the very top of the line Bechstein and Steinway uprights/verticals as well as other quality brands.

Think then you'd change your mind.

Bech

My mother has a top of the line Steinway upright. It's nice enough, but I still think that Bechstein has a lovely character that is being hamstrung by the poor tuning. Sure, it has probably seen better days, but I still think it is a quality instrument and I'm surprised by your level of distaste for it.

There's a manufacturer in Italy who makes these double pianos or pedal pianos - Doppio Borgato. Great for playing organ music: Franck's Prélude, fugue et variation works well on it.

Incidentally, Borgato also makes a 'normal' concert grand (Borgato L282) which has a wonderful sound, quite different from Fazioli, the other great Italian manufacturer.

Another C. Bechstein performance. That lowest bass note. Wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1J-KCyHyfs&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Bech

I've played a Bechstein that Liszt played on before actually, and I have a video of my buddy playing Islamey on it...well, in theory I have it somewhere, I can't quite recall where :P

Can you say holy light keys? It takes zero effort to play. Zero.