Centralwestpianos

07/03/2021

A Woman Piano Maker? Of course!
International Woman's Day feature: Nannette Streicher. (1769-1833),

19/02/2021

15/01/2021

This year we celebrate 200 years since the commencement of the Golden Era of the Grand Pianoforte with Sebastien Erard's unique "Double Escapement Action".
English Patent of 1821.
Sébastien Érard was born Sebastian Erhard on the 5th of April in 1752, he died on the 5th of August in 1831.
A French instrument maker of German origin he specialised in the production of pianos and harps ( the concert pedal harp ) , developing the capacities of both instruments and pioneering both the modern piano and concert Harp.
The incredible action he made in 1821 was the turning point in the development of the Pianoforte. His actions so fast strong and tactile. "It was now possible to play from the most delicate to the most complex passages on Piano". His action design is still found in nearly all modern grand pianos.
It has a repetition rate of 840 cycles in one minute. Astounding!
The Golden Era Piano Museum is fortunate to have a superb example of his original patent action described here.
We have much to thank Sebastien and his Brother Pierre Erard for, when it comes to the Pianoforte.

"Sebastien Erard" 90 note Grand Piano-Forte c1886. France.
Érard's grand piano action (English patent no 4,631, 1821) is the predecessor to those used in modern grands, the repetition lever in these "double escapement" actions allows notes to be repeated more easily than in single actions. It is just one of many Érard innovations still found on modern pianos. Erard was ahead of the many pianos makers. Érard was also the first maker in Paris to fit pedals on the piano, and his instruments sometimes had several pedals. There was the usual sustaining pedal, an action shift, a Celeste, and a bassoon pedal (which put leather against the strings to make them buzz). A knee lever moved the action further than the action-shift pedal, making the hammers strike only one string or una chorda. Other Érard piano inventions include the Celeste, Oval Pins for Key adjustments and the wonderful "Agraff" which prevents bounce of the String as well as holding Strings in perfect alignment with Hammers and Dampers. The Capo Tasta or pressure bar for tensioning strings now on virtually every piano made. Many of the Erard family patents deal mainly with technicalities of the keyboard, action, soundboard, and tuning mechanism. Some like the bat-pin under keys,are to aid the technician in regulation. All of these innovations are still retained in modern pianos.
Raymond Day-Hakker.
Curator.
Golden Era Piano Museum.
Wellington NSW.

23/12/2020

08/12/2020

Reminder: Ho ho ho! Come one come all!
Sing with us or enjoy our free "Special Seasonal Songs" at the Golden Era Piano Museum Shoppe Performed by Maestro "Paul Weathersten" Today Saturday 19th December from 10.00 am. Wishing you all a Happy and Musical Christmas from the Golden Era Piano Museum.

16/11/2020

A beautiful piano at a bargain price
Make yours a musical Christmas.
Call me on 0407495055 to arrange inspection.

On sale this lovely limited edition piano by Kohler & Campbell at a bargain price. Make yours a musical Christmas. It's an excellent piano. Limited edition Period Style K &C piano under Bechstein ( Germany ) serial No 00006 ( see photo ).

14/11/2020

06/11/2020

Rather lovely story about our own Winifred Atwell. Unlock the secrets of the piano at the
Golden Era Piano Museum. Wellington NSW

If the pharmacy industry had claimed her first, the world would have missed out on the incredible musical talent of Una Winifred Atwell.

25/10/2020