If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to! th-cam.com/channels/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w.html
What a gorgeous piano! The tone is so sweet and the bass is warm and rich. The piano is in beautiful condition and the Chickering pianos rivalled Steinway and Sons. The exquisite carving and detail as well as the beauty of the finish and recent restoration make this instrument an heirloom. Thank you James for taking us more than a century back into the period when pianos were made by artisans with love and devotion.
Chickering Piano's were the best. They had such a great sound. Is an apple better than a pear? Great AMERICAN piano sound... After a Chickering, I lust only for a Bosendorfer.
it may not have the power of today's pianos, but it has a sweet, unique tone. this would be perfect for a large room in a private residence. the piano itself is gorgeous. and... so great to hear an accomplished player giving free demos to educate the world, and who appreciates the artisans of days long gone bye. the world owes you a debt of gratitude.
Wow, played softly and smoothly, this instrument sounds like a summer dream, a meadow in the morning mist with the sun rising, like a massage for the soul. Thanks for sharing and keep on going, it's always very impressive to watch your videos! Greetz from Germany ;)
What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL piano. The wood is gorgeous. I'm afraid however if I owned that wonderful lady that I'd probably spend more time polishing it than playing. Just have to keep it glowing. What a nice tone. The treble clean nice and clear, the bass warm and rich. I think I'm in love with a graceful and warm mature lady.
Like the piano Glen Gould loved to play at his lake house.I'm jealous of the fine instruments you get to play as I have once played on a 9 foot Steinway at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver BC.Best piano I have ever played but not the best that you have played.I love old pianos and play a 1907 Ellington upright, and a 1895 pump organ ,that is really ornate and almost 7 feet tall.It was restored in the 80's and needs some reeds cleaned to reduce the raspy sounds in the upper register.My Neighbor [owns a store]gave it to me ,as nobody around here knew how to play it except for me.
Wow James, that Chickering really sounds marvelous. Such a great video. I always enjoy your playing. Don't ever forget that if you are in the northeast USA there is an 1887 Mason & Hamlin screw stringer that would love for you to stop by and play. Maybe after I do more refurbishing on her this winter. I had a subscriber of yours, David Theriault, stop by my home last night and while here saw the M&H and had to play for us. It was wonderful. We found it so interesting that we are both subscribers as he was here purchasing a typewriter when he saw the piano. What fun! I hope the studio is coming along great. Safe travels. Carol
The 33B is the "scale" of the piano, analogous to Steinway's "B" or "M"; the physical design of the musical aspects of the piano. Indeed the "B" indicates this is the second manifestation of the 33. There is for instance a concert grand usually marked as the 105D but I seen a 105B and so on. Certain ones apparently went over better in sales and hence were made more or perhaps they fulfilled the designers expectations better. Anyway the 33B turns up not infrequently, more often than say the 7'6" 119 of later vintage that you played at Lighthammers. The 33 is 8'4" I believe. Chickering had all sorts of scale lines running and overlapping through the years. I don't know the start of the 33 but they went into the late 1870s at which point most of the other scales were overstrung and the square grands were still being made. Incidentally I believe Chickering held the first patent for over stringing on the squares though Steinway got the honors on the grand. This particular piano has likely had some modifications such that the Chickeringness is sort of diluted in the direction of European tonality. The sound is lovely but not as authentic as the 119 or the smaller 1970s-80s model you did a video of. In general Chickering tonality is terribly comforting, sort of like hot apple pie or a fireplace in winter, as though the sound is hugging the listener. Warmth is a general characteristic of the great American pianos, particularly of the Boston region as opposed to the generally cooler soundscapes of New York. The Baldwins combine these elements it seems to me in a unique and fascinating way. Anyway keep up this important work you are doing to promote something which frankly is becoming endangered in our culture
@@WillBravoNotEvil 33 references the 33rd scale design made by the company. The numbers are purely chronological. Moreover, this piano is certainly from 1870 or after. The alleged serial number is not correct. Chickering did not make any 88 key grand pianos until the late 1860s and the 33B did not appear until after 1867. This particular specimen bears the second iteration frame design, so I can safely say 1870 or later.
I often download photos of Chickering harps and perusing these I see I have a photo where it is a 33D so the 33 had at least 4 iterations. I assume there were some subtle technical modifications other than just cosmetic harp changes with these letters appended as there are also different harps such as the 123 in at least two harp iterations yet merely marked as "123". Examples can be found on You Tube of both of these
@@danielwhite9595 My apologies for not being clearer. This is a 33B, of which there were 3 iterations, and this is the 2nd iteration of those. Indeed, there were far more than 4 Scale 33 versions: not counting iterations within them, there were the 33, 33B, 33D, 33BD, 33E, and 33F.
This is a beautiful piano !! I also have a 18 something 6'4 Chickering grand. Mine was also rebuilt on the inside but I am happy to say has the original ivories !!
this is a living history piece, something to salivate over. I would buy this Chickering for its woods only. I surmise the sound would improve in a room having the right dimensions and acoustics.
There are so many unused pianos around the world, it's mind-boggling... If I had one, I'd play all the time. Maybe that's how you learn the "value" of it.
We have a 1908 Chickering baby grand. It was my husband's grandmother's. She had it fully restored. It has beautiful brass pedals and trim on the legs. These pianos were made to be works of art, as well as musical instruments. We love it, it plays and sounds great. Holds its tune well. Chickering and Steinway were the top two piano companies in the US at the turn of the century.
Vis a vis the wooden carving: the scroll-like structures are called 'volutes', the ridges on them are called 'fluting' and the bent , curved legs are called 'cabriole' legs....sometimes concluding with a 'claw and ball' (like an avian claw) although these do not appear to be exactly in that form. This piano is almost as good to look at as it is the hear or to play !
Great video. I loved hearing the different music pieces. The craftsmanship and details are beautiful. It would be a wonderful instrument and work of art to own.
I got a chance (over 25 years ago) to play a few measures on one of these in a museum. It had straight strings and was in original condition - the technician said that the soundboard still had a good crown. It was, of course, tuned a half step lower. I read somewhere that there is some dispute as to whether Chickering or Steinway invented cross-stringing. I think Steinway got the patent first. As to the bass, I have two Chickerings built in the 1920's (5'8" and 9'). They both have an amazingly clear bass sound which never overpowers.
I enjoy your piano reviews even though i don’t really enjoy piano music. I like the history lessons and craft of making musical instruments. Keep up the nice instruments. You seem to talk quite quickly, but it is very clear and easily understood and probably helps to keep your videos from being boring. Bravo, Thumbs up!
How old is this young man, he seems to know such a lot about pianos ,also he plays beautifully .very interesting what he knows is very knowledgable for his age. Good luck to him .he is a genius.
The Chickering has the best sound, exactly the tonal quality I look for when listening to piano music. It is so much better and richer. Nothing compares today with this tonal quality.
At this very moment one of these 33's is on eBay being sold out of New Jersey and apparently restored though as well as the one here who knows. The price has been dropping and is quite reasonable
That is just AWESOME !!! Look at the carving on this piano !!! Rosewood. Very warm sounding. That's what I got for my electric bass. An all rosewood neck. Very warm !!! This piano sounds GREAT !!! I'm no expert, - but I'm going to say that this could quite easily be a 2 to 3 million dollar piece...
very good information and pointers on chickering pianos. i like this fellow's reviews of various pianos. i think he is pretty fair w/ his assessments. good job, and useful to those who are seeking comparisons, purchase, or lowdown on pianos.
The great pianist Daniel Barenboim swears by straight strung pianos, he played Liszt’s piano and felt the bass had remarkable clarity, he found the reason to be the straight bass strings, he had 2 pianos custom made for him with straight stringing. They’re quite beautiful and have purple felt. I don’t know if I believe that it’s all that different or not, I’ve never played one, but it’s certainly a fantastic instrument. Here is Barenboim talking about it: th-cam.com/video/SGEYFK4J6yU/w-d-xo.html Here is a Birds eye view of the instrument, sans lid: goo.gl/images/G75xHL Here is the instrument being made: th-cam.com/video/GkMcP_rZf3Y/w-d-xo.html
That is fascinating! I have never heard of Chris Maene Pianos before, I see they are in Belgium. Do you have any more info on the company? I love the purple felt too, that looks really, really good.
Yeah, Chickering made great pianos! When you get to Hungary, go to David Klavins workshop in Vác and try out his custom instruments. I don't think you'll run into the snooty snobery that you did with Stuart. You can see a preview on the "Great Big Story" channel here on YouVision.
Manufactured between 1855-1860 and most likely in 1857. (extrapolating from their apparent rate of production at that time which was around 1000 pianos per year. So, yeah! Rare!
@@ThePianoforever 17777 is not this piano's serial number, which would certainly be after 30000. No 88 key grands were made by Chickering before the late 1860s and the Scale 33B did not appear until around 1870.
These piano ist not about 1850, it's build later. Because des plate is pour in one piece. These grand piano ist build maybe at 1870 -1885. 7 1/4 Octave are available, maybe it's from 1885.
Beautiful! I notice that these older pianos, the sable finishes must have come later ... every single piano you have reviewed from the 1800's, all of them have been some shade of brown. I m ight be missing something, so let me know if I am. And ... you never see those decorative thingos on pianos anymore; your descriptions of that; reminds me almost tangibly of my great Grandmother's 1910 Winter In Company. (her piano was destroyed due to a tuner failing to appreciate a period instrument) I need to take a look at one of these now.
black finish really only became popular recently. It used to be actual wooden finishing that was the more popular finishes. Partly due to the quality of finishing work which meant solid colors generally were not as good looking as they are today. Paint has seen extreme advancements in the last 70 years. Before that, finish work had stayed the same as it had been 300 years back.
This piano dates from 1866-71 Chickering was still developing the baby grand, with the cocked-hat piano as the forerunner 1856-1859. Prior to that, the square piano was it.
I was thinking...could you perform one of Bach's 2- or 3-part inventions on one of your videos? It would be interesting to hear contrapuntal music on these great instruments.
Hi James! I really love the test piece you wrote which you use on so many of your reviews. Is it available in sheet music format, or have you perhaps recorded a tutorial video for it? I'd love to learn it!
A very useful and informative video... ALWAYS A TREAT TO VIEW AT ALL TIMES . THANK YOU FOR SHARING UR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE WORLD. WE NEED MORE VIDEOS LIKE YOURS... KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. GOD BLESS
I looked it up for you here where rosewood from, I hope it helps you.All genuine rosewoods belong to the genus Dalbergia. The pre-eminent rosewood appreciated in the Western world is the wood of Dalbergia nigra. It is best known as "Brazilian rosewood", but also as "Bahia rosewood". This wood has a strong, sweet smell, which persists for many years, explaining the name rosewood.[2] Another classic rosewood comes from Dalbergia latifolia known as (East) Indian rosewood or sonokeling (Indonesia). It is native to India and is also grown in plantations elsewhere in Pakistan (Chiniot). Madagascar rosewood (Dalbergia maritima), known as bois de rose, is highly prized for its red color. It is overexploited in the wild, despite a 2010 moratorium on trade and illegal logging, which continues on a large scale.[3] Throughout southeast Asia, Dalbergia oliveri is harvested for use in woodworking. It has a very fragrant and dense grain near the core, but the outer sapwood is soft and porous. Dalbergia cultrata,[4] variegated burgundy to light brown in color, is a blackwood timber sold as Burmese rosewood. Products built with rosewood-based engineered woods are sold as Malaysian rosewood or as D. oliveri.[citation needed] Some rosewood comes from Dalbergia retusa, also known as the Nicaraguan rosewood or as cocobolo. Several species are known as Guatemalan rosewood or Panama rosewood: D. tucerencis, D. tucarensis, and D. cubiquitzensis.[5][6] Honduran rosewood:D. stevensonii is used for marimba keys, guitar parts, clarinets and other musical and ornamental applications.[7] Not all species in the large genus Dalbergia yield rosewoods; only about a dozen species do. The woods of some other species in the genus Dalbergia are notable-even famous-woods in their own right: African blackwood, cocobolo, kingwood, and tulipwood.
The feet of the piano are webbed or finned. Take a closer look, and the whole looks very atlantean, does it not? Guildsmen of the time were very versed in the meaning of that imagery. Btw. it isn´t a called a font unless computers are involved, it´s a typeface (former design student here).
Font is from French and it refers to the melting and casting of types. It definitely predates computers. They may have taken it as a loanword recently which would explain the shift in meaning.
Do you have the sheet music for that 'test piece' you wrote? after hearing it so many times i feel like trying it on my very own DGX-670, which is also a very rare piece, circa 2021.
James, have you ever come across a really unique, really beautiful, piano, that has such a sweet sound and response, that you end up going to the store's manager and purchased it on the spot?
I for some time attended an evangelical Anglican church parish in Montréal, St. George's Anglican Church. At one point it received by donation a wonderful Chickering concert grand piano of this vintage, i.e. from the 1850s. I urged the church to have it restored as it had been made, NOT modernised. The sound was wonderful, not aggressive but rather warm and sweet with a resonant bass, like the one you are demonstrating here. I believe that it has been recorded on from time to time and it is used for concerts. I practised and played upon an even more superb vintage Blüthner concert grand of ca. 1870. It was perhaps the most gorgeous-sounding piano that I ever encountered. The piano had not been restored, but was in such prime condition that there was not need to refurbish it. This piano was in the church hall building of historic Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church in Newport, R.I. That church, atop this, has a fine old organ that George Frideric Handel himself had selected for the then-colonial parish. The first organist was named Pachelbel, the son of the famous composer of that name.
I loved your comment, and subscribed in the hope that perhaps you, too, will upload some performance videos. Thank you for that bit of history! (Now you have me wishing to hear examples from your commentary.)
I have a 1850s Collard & Collard concert grand from London Referbished to Playing condition. The original Ivory key's are in mint condition. The music rack is almost identical to this piano as well. Sadly I can't manage to find any one to even consider buying it. Like I can't give it away. Why is that? I don't understand.
Maybe the music stand leans back because the piano was also used to accompany singers & other soloists. If so, then it would be necessary to have that function so that the soloist could see the music.
Very cool video and piano. I heard there is some revival interest in straight strung pianos, because of their characteristics. Pianists such as Barenboim and Feltsman have commissioned new ones based on this design.
If you tested a Yamaha grand, and then set out to build a piano with the polar opposite sound, this would be the result. (I'm not dumping on Yam, many people love that sound, especially for modern styles and pop, etc.)
Very nice recording, what device do you use to record with? I see the small recording device on the side of the piano. I like to record my own Chickering piano, and I'm always looking for good recording devices that don't require mixers and mics. Thanks for sharing the Chickering and also your musical ability.
Good to see the channel. My daughter has just started learning piano but we do not wish to buy real piano yet. Can you suggest the best digital piano model with BEST+ weighted keyboard but without the digital extra distractions as she is learning classical piano first. P.S we will buy baby grand in 18months once she is established. Thanks in advance
The biggest issue with buying a keyboard before you get a piano is that a high quality keyboard is not cheap. I personally use a Korg SV1 88, but they seem to be discontinued and have a lot of other sounds, but do work well for classical music, and are quite easy to operate. I enjoy Kawai's high-end keyboards like the MP-11 and the CA-78, which are geared more towards proper pianists, but both of these will run you over $4,000. I have heard the new Yamaha Clavinovas are nice, but have no personal experience with them.
I just had a quick question by the way my name is Andrew I am a keyboard player as well I prefer the piano better because strings sound better than Electronics but my question for you is James do you know anything about the 1970s Baldwin fun machine I've been trying to find some information out about it but found absolutely nothing hope to hear back from you soon God bless
I have never come across a 101 if this is accurate but every so often one does encounter Chickerings that are new to one's experience. The 109C was quite successful judging from how many are out there and has an interesting twist for the rebuilders with its three piece pinblock(s)-- bass, middle, and top being separate pieces
Very nice video, very nice presenter, you seem to master the subject very well... I also appreciated the mellow sound of this wonderful "house piano"... May I suggest, for an 1850 piano, why not play cowboy's music?
The "saloon" sound is commonly associated with old uprights. But they only sound this way because of little to no proper service for a hundred years or so and not anything intrinsic to the piano. Properly rebuilt the tone transforms back to the former beauty
You have such a keen interest in pianos, and always point out how the engineering of the various parts of each piano influence the sound. Do you plan to go into piano building or designing? You could certainly teach in a Music College, and I think you would have a flock of students. It's truly quite interesting as well as entertaining. Bravo!
That is an EXQUISITELY (usually overused, but not, I think, in this case) beautiful piano, especially the case...bet those don't go for fifty bucks! We had a Chickering in our choir room for practice, but it wasn't ANYTHING like this. ;-) Eventually got a pretty stellar Yamaha "monster" grand for the sanctuary, lots of money, really nice sound. Sounded great against the old Moeller dual manual organ. My father has a 1910 Steinway baby grand that I think was done in cherry, refinished that way, anyway, when it was thoroughly refurbed. It too, is quite handsome, though not to the degree of that Chickering, by any scale. I wonder what the history is on that particular piano, wouldn't surprise me if it were a concert hall piano, or in a very wealthy church. It looked like one of the maintenance issues is a couple of dampers that aren't moving. Oh, and it sounded to me like you were over-driving the mic a bit when you had it inside the case. Great video, as always. ;-)
I have a fully restored 1876 Chickering grand. It is 6 ft one inch. It has only 85 keys, and is made out of rosewood, and is cross strung. This one is not cross strung, but they only used rosewood in the 1870s and 1880s, so I doubt it is as old as the 1850s. Chickering had pioneered the cross stringing in the 1870s, so this one is probably from the early 1870s. If you have the serial number, you can date it exactly.
I should also note that the decoration on my piano is nearly identical -- the lyre is the same as well. I have a lock as well, but no key. The dampers are much larger, indicating that it they were all replaced. On my piano, they are much smaller. My piano also has a rich warm sound in the mid-range, but is rather choppy blocky sounding in the upper register, typical of all Chickerings of the period.
I don't remember, but the information for the store is in the description of the video so if you are interested you could call and talk to them about it.
@@ThePianoforever I really like and appreciate all you do! I love your humble yet straight forward personality and your cute smiles and hand waves when you say goodbye. I'm curious however as to what you do for a living.
If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to!
th-cam.com/channels/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w.html
This young man is so knowledgeable. He has a wonderful way of sharing all the information.
What a gorgeous piano! The tone is so sweet and the bass is warm and rich. The piano is in beautiful condition and the Chickering pianos rivalled Steinway and Sons. The exquisite carving and detail as well as the beauty of the finish and recent restoration make this instrument an heirloom. Thank you James for taking us more than a century back into the period when pianos were made by artisans with love and devotion.
My Chickering baby grand is beautiful, over 100 years old.
Your camera operator did a masterful job on this video.
Chickering Piano's were the best. They had such a great sound. Is an apple better than a pear? Great AMERICAN piano sound... After a Chickering, I lust only for a Bosendorfer.
James, I absolutely love your piano series. These old pianos are really beautiful. Thank you for doing this series.
it may not have the power of today's pianos, but it has a sweet, unique tone. this would be perfect for a large room in a private residence. the piano itself is gorgeous. and... so great to hear an accomplished player giving free demos to educate the world, and who appreciates the artisans of days long gone bye. the world owes you a debt of gratitude.
Wow, played softly and smoothly, this instrument sounds like a summer dream, a meadow in the morning mist with the sun rising, like a massage for the soul.
Thanks for sharing and keep on going, it's always very impressive to watch your videos!
Greetz from Germany ;)
Thank you Chris for coming by my channel. Thank you for your input.
A massage for the soul....perfect description! ((Can I use that line?))
the lowest inclination on the music stand is for composing
What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL piano. The wood is gorgeous. I'm afraid however if I owned that wonderful lady that I'd probably spend more time polishing it than playing. Just have to keep it glowing. What a nice tone. The treble clean nice and clear, the bass warm and rich. I think I'm in love with a graceful and warm mature lady.
I love when david spade teaches me about pianos
Always reminds me of Charlie Bucket from the better Willy Wonka movie.
Like the piano Glen Gould loved to play at his lake house.I'm jealous of the fine instruments you get to play as I have once played on a 9 foot Steinway at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver BC.Best piano I have ever played but not the best that you have played.I love old pianos and play a 1907 Ellington upright, and a 1895 pump organ ,that is really ornate and almost 7 feet tall.It was restored in the 80's and needs some reeds cleaned to reduce the raspy sounds in the upper register.My Neighbor [owns a store]gave it to me ,as nobody around here knew how to play it except for me.
Wow James, that Chickering really sounds marvelous. Such a great video. I always enjoy your playing. Don't ever forget that if you are in the northeast USA there is an 1887 Mason & Hamlin screw stringer that would love for you to stop by and play. Maybe after I do more refurbishing on her this winter. I had a subscriber of yours, David Theriault, stop by my home last night and while here saw the M&H and had to play for us. It was wonderful. We found it so interesting that we are both subscribers as he was here purchasing a typewriter when he saw the piano. What fun! I hope the studio is coming along great. Safe travels.
Carol
Just adore it, what a beautiful even, warm sound!
Me too!
I love this beautiful piano!
The 33B is the "scale" of the piano, analogous to Steinway's "B" or "M"; the physical design of the musical aspects of the piano. Indeed the "B" indicates this is the second manifestation of the 33. There is for instance a concert grand usually marked as the 105D but I seen a 105B and so on. Certain ones apparently went over better in sales and hence were made more or perhaps they fulfilled the designers expectations better. Anyway the 33B turns up not infrequently, more often than say the 7'6" 119 of later vintage that you played at Lighthammers. The 33 is 8'4" I believe. Chickering had all sorts of scale lines running and overlapping through the years. I don't know the start of the 33 but they went into the late 1870s at which point most of the other scales were overstrung and the square grands were still being made. Incidentally I believe Chickering held the first patent for over stringing on the squares though Steinway got the honors on the grand. This particular piano has likely had some modifications such that the Chickeringness is sort of diluted in the direction of European tonality. The sound is lovely but not as authentic as the 119 or the smaller 1970s-80s model you did a video of. In general Chickering tonality is terribly comforting, sort of like hot apple pie or a fireplace in winter, as though the sound is hugging the listener. Warmth is a general characteristic of the great American pianos, particularly of the Boston region as opposed to the generally cooler soundscapes of New York. The Baldwins combine these elements it seems to me in a unique and fascinating way. Anyway keep up this important work you are doing to promote something which frankly is becoming endangered in our culture
Thank you for your insight, and for being a long time follower.
@@WillBravoNotEvil 33 references the 33rd scale design made by the company. The numbers are purely chronological. Moreover, this piano is certainly from 1870 or after. The alleged serial number is not correct. Chickering did not make any 88 key grand pianos until the late 1860s and the 33B did not appear until after 1867. This particular specimen bears the second iteration frame design, so I can safely say 1870 or later.
I often download photos of Chickering harps and perusing these I see I have a photo where it is a 33D so the 33 had at least 4 iterations. I assume there were some subtle technical modifications other than just cosmetic harp changes with these letters appended as there are also different harps such as the 123 in at least two harp iterations yet merely marked as "123". Examples can be found on You Tube of both of these
@@danielwhite9595 My apologies for not being clearer. This is a 33B, of which there were 3 iterations, and this is the 2nd iteration of those. Indeed, there were far more than 4 Scale 33 versions: not counting iterations within them, there were the 33, 33B, 33D, 33BD, 33E, and 33F.
Imagine a Liebestraum on this beauty😍
This is a beautiful piano !! I also have a 18 something 6'4 Chickering grand. Mine was also rebuilt on the inside but I am happy to say has the original ivories !!
this is a living history piece, something to salivate over. I would buy this Chickering for its woods only. I surmise the sound would improve in a room having the right dimensions and acoustics.
BTW what a beautifully restored piano. Like everything, everything becomes more brassy and ostentatious, and loud as time goes on, like Ricardo Mutti.
This is the mellow sound that I love in a piano! Thank you.
I got so caught up watching the videos that I just remembered to subscribe.
There are so many unused pianos around the world, it's mind-boggling... If I had one, I'd play all the time. Maybe that's how you learn the "value" of it.
We have a 1908 Chickering baby grand. It was my husband's grandmother's. She had it fully restored. It has beautiful brass pedals and trim on the legs. These pianos were made to be works of art, as well as musical instruments. We love it, it plays and sounds great. Holds its tune well. Chickering and Steinway were the top two piano companies in the US at the turn of the century.
It still has the original ivory keys too, in perfect shape.
Vis a vis the wooden carving: the scroll-like structures are called 'volutes', the ridges on them are called 'fluting' and the bent , curved legs are called 'cabriole' legs....sometimes concluding with a 'claw and ball' (like an avian claw) although these do not appear to be exactly in that form. This piano is almost as good to look at as it is the hear or to play !
this piano sounds smooth as silk!
Great video. I loved hearing the different music pieces. The craftsmanship and details are beautiful. It would be a wonderful instrument and work of art to own.
exposes different sonorities of pianos. what made me think of it was Glenn Gould's great love of his Chickering grand.
Returned to this video and it was preceeded by an ad for Udemy dotcom. Monetized!! Great work.
Beautiful, Thank you for playing
I got a chance (over 25 years ago) to play a few measures on one of these in a museum. It had straight strings and was in original condition - the technician said that the soundboard still had a good crown. It was, of course, tuned a half step lower.
I read somewhere that there is some dispute as to whether Chickering or Steinway invented cross-stringing. I think Steinway got the patent first.
As to the bass, I have two Chickerings built in the 1920's (5'8" and 9'). They both have an amazingly clear bass sound which never overpowers.
Does anyone know the Bach chorale tune that he played?
nice sound rich in flavor in pitch as well
I enjoy your piano reviews even though i don’t really enjoy piano music. I like the history lessons and craft of making musical instruments. Keep up the nice instruments. You seem to talk quite quickly, but it is very clear and easily understood and probably helps to keep your videos from being boring. Bravo, Thumbs up!
A beautiful work of art .
How old is this young man, he seems to know such a lot about pianos ,also he plays beautifully .very interesting what he knows is very knowledgable for his age. Good luck to him .he is a genius.
He’s 19.
@@rodeo11 wow
The Chickering has the best sound, exactly the tonal quality I look for when listening to piano music. It is so much better and richer. Nothing compares today with this tonal quality.
The only one I have ever seen from this vintage and size.
At this very moment one of these 33's is on eBay being sold out of New Jersey and apparently restored though as well as the one here who knows. The price has been dropping and is quite reasonable
Beautiful sound on this piano.
That is just AWESOME !!! Look at the carving on this piano !!! Rosewood. Very warm sounding. That's what I got for my electric bass. An all rosewood neck. Very warm !!! This piano sounds GREAT !!! I'm no expert, - but I'm going to say that this could quite easily be a 2 to 3 million dollar piece...
very good information and pointers on chickering pianos. i like this fellow's reviews of various pianos. i think he is pretty fair w/ his assessments. good job, and useful to those who are seeking comparisons, purchase, or lowdown on pianos.
The great pianist Daniel Barenboim swears by straight strung pianos, he played Liszt’s piano and felt the bass had remarkable clarity, he found the reason to be the straight bass strings, he had 2 pianos custom made for him with straight stringing. They’re quite beautiful and have purple felt. I don’t know if I believe that it’s all that different or not, I’ve never played one, but it’s certainly a fantastic instrument.
Here is Barenboim talking about it: th-cam.com/video/SGEYFK4J6yU/w-d-xo.html
Here is a Birds eye view of the instrument, sans lid: goo.gl/images/G75xHL
Here is the instrument being made: th-cam.com/video/GkMcP_rZf3Y/w-d-xo.html
That is fascinating! I have never heard of Chris Maene Pianos before, I see they are in Belgium. Do you have any more info on the company? I love the purple felt too, that looks really, really good.
Love the warm tones in this piano. Would love to hear the higher key range too.
Great channel
Yeah, Chickering made great pianos!
When you get to Hungary, go to David Klavins workshop in Vác and try out his custom instruments. I don't think you'll run into the snooty snobery that you did with Stuart. You can see a preview on the "Great Big Story" channel here on YouVision.
Manufactured between 1855-1860 and most likely in 1857. (extrapolating from their apparent rate of production at that time which was around 1000 pianos per year. So, yeah! Rare!
The year was just a guess based on what we knew about pianos from that era.
Thank you for looking it up.
@@ThePianoforever 17777 is not this piano's serial number, which would certainly be after 30000. No 88 key grands were made by Chickering before the late 1860s and the Scale 33B did not appear until around 1870.
These piano ist not about 1850, it's build later. Because des plate is pour in one piece. These grand piano ist build maybe at 1870 -1885. 7 1/4 Octave are available, maybe it's from 1885.
Beautiful! I notice that these older pianos, the sable finishes must have come later ... every single piano you have reviewed from the 1800's, all of them have been some shade of brown. I m ight be missing something, so let me know if I am. And ... you never see those decorative thingos on pianos anymore; your descriptions of that; reminds me almost tangibly of my great Grandmother's 1910 Winter In Company. (her piano was destroyed due to a tuner failing to appreciate a period instrument) I need to take a look at one of these now.
black finish really only became popular recently. It used to be actual wooden finishing that was the more popular finishes. Partly due to the quality of finishing work which meant solid colors generally were not as good looking as they are today. Paint has seen extreme advancements in the last 70 years. Before that, finish work had stayed the same as it had been 300 years back.
Very good video. Thanks.
I love chickering pianos, my piano teacher had a really nice chickering piano similar to that one
Cleanest Pirates. I liked this piano.
I love it...
Restoration of this magnificent is mentioned,, what is known of the condition of its tuning pin block before restoration please??
sounds heavenly
This piano dates from 1866-71 Chickering was still developing the baby grand, with the cocked-hat piano as the forerunner 1856-1859. Prior to that, the square piano was it.
I was thinking...could you perform one of Bach's 2- or 3-part inventions on one of your videos? It would be interesting to hear contrapuntal music on these great instruments.
wonderful piano! It appears there is some problem with the top several dampers. They aren't rising properly. Hope the technician can fix that.
That’s a lovely instrument.
Hi James! I really love the test piece you wrote which you use on so many of your reviews. Is it available in sheet music format, or have you perhaps recorded a tutorial video for it? I'd love to learn it!
A very useful and informative video...
ALWAYS A TREAT TO VIEW AT ALL TIMES .
THANK YOU FOR SHARING UR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE WORLD.
WE NEED MORE VIDEOS LIKE YOURS...
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
GOD BLESS
I looked it up for you here where rosewood from, I hope it helps you.All genuine rosewoods belong to the genus Dalbergia. The pre-eminent rosewood appreciated in the Western world is the wood of Dalbergia nigra. It is best known as "Brazilian rosewood", but also as "Bahia rosewood". This wood has a strong, sweet smell, which persists for many years, explaining the name rosewood.[2] Another classic rosewood comes from Dalbergia latifolia known as (East) Indian rosewood or sonokeling (Indonesia). It is native to India and is also grown in plantations elsewhere in Pakistan (Chiniot). Madagascar rosewood (Dalbergia maritima), known as bois de rose, is highly prized for its red color. It is overexploited in the wild, despite a 2010 moratorium on trade and illegal logging, which continues on a large scale.[3] Throughout southeast Asia, Dalbergia oliveri is harvested for use in woodworking. It has a very fragrant and dense grain near the core, but the outer sapwood is soft and porous. Dalbergia cultrata,[4] variegated burgundy to light brown in color, is a blackwood timber sold as Burmese rosewood. Products built with rosewood-based engineered woods are sold as Malaysian rosewood or as D. oliveri.[citation needed] Some rosewood comes from Dalbergia retusa, also known as the Nicaraguan rosewood or as cocobolo. Several species are known as Guatemalan rosewood or Panama rosewood: D. tucerencis, D. tucarensis, and D. cubiquitzensis.[5][6] Honduran rosewood:D. stevensonii is used for marimba keys, guitar parts, clarinets and other musical and ornamental applications.[7] Not all species in the large genus Dalbergia yield rosewoods; only about a dozen species do. The woods of some other species in the genus Dalbergia are notable-even famous-woods in their own right: African blackwood, cocobolo, kingwood, and tulipwood.
That's cool! Thanks for doing all that research. I never knew cocobolo was related to rosewood.
@@ThePianoforever you are very welcome, glad that I could help, and thank you for doing the videos like you do, again thank you so much.
The feet of the piano are webbed or finned. Take a closer look, and the whole looks very atlantean, does it not? Guildsmen of the time were very versed in the meaning of that imagery. Btw. it isn´t a called a font unless computers are involved, it´s a typeface (former design student here).
Thanks I learned something new. What's it called if it's handwritten?
Font is from French and it refers to the melting and casting of types. It definitely predates computers. They may have taken it as a loanword recently which would explain the shift in meaning.
Thank You!
Thumbs up.
Do you have the sheet music for that 'test piece' you wrote? after hearing it so many times i feel like trying it on my very own DGX-670, which is also a very rare piece, circa 2021.
James, have you ever come across a really unique, really beautiful, piano, that has such a sweet sound and response, that you end up going to the store's manager and purchased it on the spot?
Too often!
Was that f key clicking when you played it?
I for some time attended an evangelical Anglican church parish in Montréal, St. George's Anglican Church. At one point it received by donation a wonderful Chickering concert grand piano of this vintage, i.e. from the 1850s. I urged the church to have it restored as it had been made, NOT modernised. The sound was wonderful, not aggressive but rather warm and sweet with a resonant bass, like the one you are demonstrating here. I believe that it has been recorded on from time to time and it is used for concerts. I practised and played upon an even more superb vintage Blüthner concert grand of ca. 1870. It was perhaps the most gorgeous-sounding piano that I ever encountered. The piano had not been restored, but was in such prime condition that there was not need to refurbish it. This piano was in the church hall building of historic Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church in Newport, R.I. That church, atop this, has a fine old organ that George Frideric Handel himself had selected for the then-colonial parish. The first organist was named Pachelbel, the son of the famous composer of that name.
I loved your comment, and subscribed in the hope that perhaps you, too, will upload some performance videos. Thank you for that bit of history! (Now you have me wishing to hear examples from your commentary.)
I have a 1850s Collard & Collard concert grand from London Referbished to Playing condition. The original Ivory key's are in mint condition. The music rack is almost identical to this piano as well. Sadly I can't manage to find any one to even consider buying it. Like I can't give it away. Why is that? I don't understand.
OMG I have one of those pianos abandoned here in my garage . What shall I do?
You want the music desk leaned way back for when you’re standing
Maybe the music stand leans back because the piano was also used to accompany singers & other soloists. If so, then it would be necessary to have that function so that the soloist could see the music.
It sounds brand new! Who tuned it?
Hello! Nice to meet you, I'm very kind of your video. Can ask for the price of this one?
You play beautifully . Good on you.
Thank you! :)
My family made these:)
Very cool video and piano. I heard there is some revival interest in straight strung pianos, because of their characteristics. Pianists such as Barenboim and Feltsman have commissioned new ones based on this design.
I hope one day to run across a new straight strung piano, what a wonderful review that would make!
Barenboim's straight strung was a custom manufacture
i cant believe pianos had 88 keys that early!
pianos have had 88 keys since roughly 1790s-1810s. basicly once we had cast iron plates we had around 88 keys.
The piano forever ,do you know where are the serial number of this pianos ,i have one exactly like that one ,THANK YOU FOR SHARING !!
I'm trying to find someone (anyone) who has knowledge of the double leg system used on Sheraton style grand pianos
This piano was made in 1867, before restoration, there were some broken strings in this piano.
how much this piano cost?
If you tested a Yamaha grand, and then set out to build a piano with the polar opposite sound, this would be the result. (I'm not dumping on Yam, many people love that sound, especially for modern styles and pop, etc.)
Very nice recording, what device do you use to record with? I see the small recording device on the side of the piano. I like to record my own Chickering piano, and I'm always looking for good recording devices that don't require mixers and mics. Thanks for sharing the Chickering and also your musical ability.
Good to see the channel. My daughter has just started learning piano but we do not wish to buy real piano yet. Can you suggest the best digital piano model with BEST+ weighted keyboard but without the digital extra distractions as she is learning classical piano first. P.S we will buy baby grand in 18months once she is established. Thanks in advance
The biggest issue with buying a keyboard before you get a piano is that a high quality keyboard is not cheap. I personally use a Korg SV1 88, but they seem to be discontinued and have a lot of other sounds, but do work well for classical music, and are quite easy to operate. I enjoy Kawai's high-end keyboards like the MP-11 and the CA-78, which are geared more towards proper pianists, but both of these will run you over $4,000. I have heard the new Yamaha Clavinovas are nice, but have no personal experience with them.
I just had a quick question by the way my name is Andrew I am a keyboard player as well I prefer the piano better because strings sound better than Electronics but my question for you is James do you know anything about the 1970s Baldwin fun machine I've been trying to find some information out about it but found absolutely nothing hope to hear back from you soon God bless
Gould's favorite brand!
He was also a connoisseur of piano benches!
James, what was the action like compared to modern actions? Or did they perhaps replace the original with a more modern action?
It seemed to have a modern action in it, but it would need some adjustments before it became truly concert-ready, although it played just fine.
My church has a 101c 1897 chickering piano.. And plays very well and yes the bass is strong.
Chickering pianos have long been known to be great pianos. I have heard many rebuilders say they love to rebuild them.
@@ThePianoforever I've been watching for some time now... Amd I believe the rose wood is from Brazil which no longer can be harvested.
@@paiuteson It's probably a 109C as there was, I believe, no such thing as a 101C.
I have never come across a 101 if this is accurate but every so often one does encounter Chickerings that are new to one's experience. The 109C was quite successful judging from how many are out there and has an interesting twist for the rebuilders with its three piece pinblock(s)-- bass, middle, and top being separate pieces
1897 is right in the heyday for 109Cs
This deserve to be sold in $100000 or more
Standing and playing may by why the low position of music stand
"It harpens back to the days of Harpsichords".
Very nice video, very nice presenter, you seem to master the subject very well... I also appreciated the mellow sound of this wonderful "house piano"... May I suggest, for an 1850 piano, why not play cowboy's music?
That sounds like fun! Any suggestions for cowboy music? :D
@@ThePianoforever Yes, you know, that piano music they played in the "saloons"
The "saloon" sound is commonly associated with old uprights. But they only sound this way because of little to no proper service for a hundred years or so and not anything intrinsic to the piano. Properly rebuilt the tone transforms back to the former beauty
What is the Bach piece?
The piece is a harmonization of an old hymn titled We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit.
You have such a keen interest in pianos, and always point out how the engineering of the various parts of each piano influence the sound. Do you plan to go into piano building or designing? You could certainly teach in a
Music College, and I think you would have a flock of students. It's truly quite interesting as well as entertaining. Bravo!
I don't plan to teach in a music college, but I may do some tutorial videos on my channel in the future on how to play various pieces of music.
The top two dampers are stuck up. Other than that, it is a very nice restoration.
Yes, that is true, and there are a few other small details that we noticed as well, but overall a wonderful piano.
That is an EXQUISITELY (usually overused, but not, I think, in this case) beautiful piano, especially the case...bet those don't go for fifty bucks! We had a Chickering in our choir room for practice, but it wasn't ANYTHING like this. ;-)
Eventually got a pretty stellar Yamaha "monster" grand for the sanctuary, lots of money, really nice sound. Sounded great against the old Moeller dual manual organ.
My father has a 1910 Steinway baby grand that I think was done in cherry, refinished that way, anyway, when it was thoroughly refurbed. It too, is quite handsome, though not to the degree of that Chickering, by any scale. I wonder what the history is on that particular piano, wouldn't surprise me if it were a concert hall piano, or in a very wealthy church.
It looked like one of the maintenance issues is a couple of dampers that aren't moving.
Oh, and it sounded to me like you were over-driving the mic a bit when you had it inside the case. Great video, as always. ;-)
I have a fully restored 1876 Chickering grand. It is 6 ft one inch. It has only 85 keys, and is made out of rosewood, and is cross strung. This one is not cross strung, but they only used rosewood in the 1870s and 1880s, so I doubt it is as old as the 1850s. Chickering had pioneered the cross stringing in the 1870s, so this one is probably from the early 1870s. If you have the serial number, you can date it exactly.
I should also note that the decoration on my piano is nearly identical -- the lyre is the same as well. I have a lock as well, but no key. The dampers are much larger, indicating that it they were all replaced. On my piano, they are much smaller.
My piano also has a rich warm sound in the mid-range, but is rather choppy blocky sounding in the upper register, typical of all Chickerings of the period.
@@rand503 You are correct that this piano is from the 1870s, but Chickering used rosewood on their pianos consistently since day one (I.e. 1823)
Beautiful sound! Thank you also for the Bach! I wonder what the asking cost is of this piano?
I don't remember, but the information for the store is in the description of the video so if you are interested you could call and talk to them about it.
@@ThePianoforever I really like and appreciate all you do! I love your humble yet straight forward personality and your cute smiles and hand waves when you say goodbye. I'm curious however as to what you do for a living.
Our family has long been involved in music, and now we are in the process of starting a high end studio in Tennessee.
That is the only mid 1800's piano that is like our modern pianos with 88 keys and A440 tuning.
Wow! An grand piano, really old and in wonderful shape, that must be really expensive!