Steingraeber - Grand Pianos

Steingraeber Model A-170

We do not see the A-170 as a “baby grand,” because it makes a much “bigger” impression than its 170 cm (5 ft. 7 in.) would suggest; the volume of sound is a real surprise among this class of pianos. Its roots can be traced back to the 1905 instrument upon which its predecessor, model 168, was based. The A-170 sounds much bigger than it is and has many awards to prove it, including “Best in its Class” and even “Best up to 200 cm Long.” In terms of construction, this phenomenal result lies in the very long bass strings that are only possible because of it unusually side shape. However, the decisive factor is the classic bridge: Thanks to the provision of a “proper” bridge (i.e., without a bass bridge with apron and base that makes the instrument sound nasal), it is the only salon grand piano in the world which directly transmits vibrational energy, just like large concert grands. The touch is also professional quality. Thus, the 168 and A-170 are in use on stages, in conservatories, and opera houses that have limited space, e.g., in the fascinating new Oslo Opera House.

Model Styles

Classicism: Columns, capitals and pilasters are fashioned as if by an architect. Small grooves and curves give this timeless model its elegance.

Classical: A classic grand piano.

Studio: Especially suited for use in music institutions with an extra wide music desk (including lateral pencil tray), sturdy lacquered frame and straightened piano lid. Available in anthracite, scratch resistant, finish.

Steingraeber Model B-192

A New Standard for Salon Grands from Steingraeber & Söhne

In honour of the Liszt Anniversary, Steingraeber & Söhne unveiled a new 192 cm (6’3”) grand at the 2011 Bayreuth Festival. It is closely modeled on the Liszt grand, which is to say the Steingraeber C-212 and its predecessor, the 1873 Eduard Steingraeber 200.

The unique, distinctive features of a Steingraeber that immediately spring to mind are:

• straight bass bridge without suspension
• very long bass strings on a similar scale to those of a chamber music grand
• highly flexible bridges made of solid copper beech
• bearing bars in the treble registers for optimal mixing of partials
• precisely limited sounding board area by way of a far-reaching sound trap
• enhanced volume through very hard outer rims of layered beech wood (26 pcs. horizontal and 13 pcs. vertical)

Initial deliveries are set to begin as of March 2011. In addition to discerning private clients, this new grand piano is particularly well suited to professionals and for use in music conservatories.

At Steingraeber & Söhne, professional pianists and musical institutions are our primary customers. Besides the highly differentiated color spectrum that has become the hallmark of our sound, clients often choose a Steingraeber because our mechanisms are both speedy and reliable. That is why we’ve placed so much value on this grand piano’s affinity with its big brother, the C-212. In fact, it is such a priority that the actions of the C-212 and the B-192 are virtually identical!

Steingraeber Model C-212

Chamber Concert Grand C-212 was introduced at the beginning of 2009. It is the direct descendant of the Steingraeber Liszt Grand Piano, the legendary model 205. The bass* has been enhanced and adapted to twenty-first century requirements, while the previous design has undergone only moderate alterations.

The allure of the Steingraeber 205, which has fascinated pianists like Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss, Engelbert Humperdinck and, more recently, Daniel Barenboim, has been preserved. Because of its differentiated sound spectrum and registers, this model is in use for lieder recitals, in recording studios and music conservatories (e.g., Munich, Paris, Hannover), and at New Music festivals.

* The bass has been enriched with greater volume. Comparison of the 205 and the C-212:

– vibrating soundboard +4.8% / string length up to +5.8%

– the action, keyboard, and string lengths for notes 36-88 are identical

This instrument also comes with:

the Carbon – Fiber soundboard and Phoenix system installed.

Steingraeber Model D-232

The new Steingraeber & Sons D-232, the „little brother” of the E-272 concert grand, was introduced at the 2008 Music Exhibitions in California, Frankfurt and Paris. The family resemblance is immediately apparent in the shape of the outer rim. Both the D and E models include the same excellent acoustic features, such as the symmetrically shaped rim with a sound reflection zone at the rear, unique plate design which eliminates forward cross-braces and precisely limited sounding board area – the result is a tone that is present and singing.

Upon second glance, extraordinary features become apparent:

– the D-232 has the lightest top lid of any grand piano, up to 33% lighter than industrially manufactured lids, which contributes extra overtones to the core sound.

– the capo d’astro bar extends across forty-six unisons to just above the middle of the keyboard, thereby encompassing the largest pitch range of any piano. This concept is unique to Steingraeber and is offered nowhere else in the world. Only forty-two unisons pass through agraffes!

Clearly, the goal of Steingraeber’s piano builders is to give even greater brilliance and reverberation to the wonderfully singing tone for which Steingraeber pianos are already famous! It goes without saying that the „7-foot-7” (as the D-232 is called in America) also comes with a well-known Steingraeber specialty, the drilled capo d’astro bar. This creates little bridges between every tone from the bar to the plate, adding structural stability and contribute to the exceptionally long sustain.

Thanks to twenty to twenty-five grams of upweight with a downweight of 48g in the treble and 52g in the bass, playing has never been more enjoyable, lightning fast, or controllable down to the softest pianissimo.

Synthetic ivory key tops, based on slightly hygroscopic mineral material, and solid ebony keys complete the great feel of this piano. Mammoth ivory is also available as an option on Steingraeber pianos.

The D-232 is a classic, professional concert grand piano through and through. Special features, including rolling knuckles and the innovative Phoenix system of patented bridge agraffes for efficient energy transmission, will soon be available for this new model, just as they are for other Steingraeber grand pianos.

Steingraeber Model E-272

The E-272 is based on its predecessor, the 1895 model. Many pianists praise it as being one of the most distinctive and outstanding instruments on the market today.

Unique features include its sound-reflecting inner casing, star-shaped/half-timbered braces, and the “unbelievably enjoyable” action (Cyprien Katsaris, pianist). Steingraeber is the only manufacturer to have reduced the surface of the treble soundboard and to have restored its ‘classical relationship’ to short treble strings. Thus, Steingraeber strings have 27% less wood weight to set in motion. Even when softer intonation is called for, the player is rewarded with an immediate, singing resonance.

At the latest test of eleven concert grand pianos from all of the top manufacturers, Le Monde de la Musique (Paris) wrote that “… these days it would be hard to find a better instrument for interpreting Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.” Added to that, when needed, is its percussive ‘register’, perfect for twentieth and twenty-first century music applications. This register distinguishes the E-272 from other excellent grand pianos, which are built largely with late nineteenth-century repertoire in mind.

From the Berlin Philharmonie right through to the National Theatre in Quito, Ecuador, the E-272 can be heard time and again in major concert halls around the world.