Piano technology

Why do modern pianos increasingly aim for power and brilliance?

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francescochopin90

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Opening post by francescochopin90

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The more time passes, the more manufacturers load the soundboards, weigh down the hammers, and power up pianos so that they can be heard in the largest concert halls. And commerce, obviously, adapts. However, I think a segment of the market could aim for "parlor pianos," with those typical sounds of Romantic instruments (how I love that sound attack that approaches the pizzicato of a harp?). I think modern patents could be adopted but with "ancient" criteria: lightly loaded soundboards, extremely light hammers (lighter than the lightest hammer felt on the market today), cold-pressed, but at the same time with modern action, crossed strings, duplex scale (which adds brilliance, not power). Today, even the smallest pianos are pushed to the extreme just to appear bright, but in my opinion, they shriek! I don't think technologies are lacking; I believe it is all a matter of choices. Should Chopin's sound be considered extinct, unless one uses a restored period instrument (another sad chapter) or a perfect reproduction? Are manufacturers unable to produce instruments with those sonorities in 2020? It is true that pianos exist with characteristics aiming for a non-striking sound (mostly certain German ones), but more could be done. What do you think? With lighter and smaller hammers, it also becomes easier to balance shorter keys (in instruments that are certainly not for concert use, but "parlor" ones where I would expect more suitable sonorities).

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Reply 2 by pianoexpert

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rocca di papa

Very long speech. Listening conditions and our audiometric capacity have changed. ...."When man heard the grass grow"......

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