THE PERIOD PIANO COLLECTION

 Performing - Studying - Exhibiting - Conserving

A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation    email contact

        Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.  Founder and President

       610 Amigos Dr C,  Redlands, CA  92373  909 796-4226     PERIOD PIANO CENTER SINCE 2006                       

THE EARLY STEINWAY CLASSES

The Early Steinway, 1853-1892

 History, Design, Restoration, Conservation

See also “Early Steinway Research Project”   

Click on UPCOMING PROGRAMS for scheduled events

Click here for suggested fees for these classes

Early Steinway Grand classes can be presented several ways:

1.  A two-day seminar, “The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892, a Comprehensive Survey of Early Steinway Models, History of Early Steinway Design, and Restoration and Conservation Protocols” for piano technicians, organologists, piano retailers and others in the trade, and any others interested in the history of the Steinway grand from 1853 to 1892. This is the most comprehensive class and provides the time necessary for Q&A, discussion, and review.  The first day thoroughly covers all Steinway product and design development through the first three historical periods of the company, through 1892.  The second day examines in detail the restoration options, the challenges for restorers, and the service protocols for historic Steinway pianos.

2.  A one-day seminar, “The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892, a Comprehensive Survey of Early Steinway Models, History of Early Steinway Design”  for piano technicians, organologists, piano retailers and others in the trade, and any others interested in the history of the Steinway piano from 1853 to 1892.  This is the first day of 1, above.  It should be followed with the second day at some point, “The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892, Restoration and Conservation Protocols.”.

3.   A half-day seminar can also be presented as a two-part chapter or convention program, with one condensed 1.5 hour presentation covering History and Design Elements, the second 1.5 hour class covering either Discovering the First Modern Steinway Grand (the current format), or if needed, Restoration, Remanufacturing and Conservation (I prefer to include the latter in the second day of the two-day seminar). 

3. One 1.5 hour “Introduction to the Early Steinway Grand”, briefly introduces history and design from 1853 to 1892, with a focus on the first two modern Steinway grands, introduced in 1872 and 1875. 

4.  One of three classes, 1 to 1.5 hours each,  each based on a piano from one model family.   These are best seen after one of the above classes, but can also be stand-alone, and tailored to highlight a specific piano which is available for the chapter to view and hear.  For example, “Discovering the First Modern Steinway Grand” on the first truly modern Steinway grand, the prototype “Monitor” #19434 discovered in Belgium in 2007, and the production 1872  “Monitor” Steinway “B” ancestor, or “The 1875 Centennial Grand, Steinway’s First Modern Concert Grand,” the first full-plate, modern duplex Steinway but the only Steinway concert grand with a transitional, or tenor bridge.   But any early Steinway can be used for a program on its respective model family.

The 1.5 hour classes are highly concentrated, tightly paced classes which use the entire time allotted;  chapters need to forego their general “technical” Q&A and be sure their chapter business is taken care of outside of the required 1.5 hour presentation.`

Each class surveys - even if briefly - the rapid evolution of the Steinway grand piano in its earliest, most volatile, rapidly changing period. When the first Steinway grand was built, the Erard piano had established itself as the innovator and leader, and the first Steinway grand looked much like that Erard concert grand, but not for long.  We follow Steinway’s rapid rise to leadership in piano building, and we examine unusual devices and ideas which reflected that commitment to technological leadership.   The company had more influence in the 19th century on the development of the modern piano than any other single piano manufacturer since Erard;  this program shows why.  Many of the early design elements played a major role in the development of the modern Steinway after 1878, but so did son Theodore’s desire to build a cheaper piano!   Discover the difficulty the Steinway family experienced as they attempted to deal with the rapid technological changes of the industrial age which provided a plethora of new, but poorly understood resources, especially the rapid changes in piano wire and string scaling.  Includes recordings of early Steinway pianos. 

The modern Steinway model classification using letters (A-B-C-D) began in 1878.  From the first Steinway grand in 1856 to the last early-style grand in the 1880s, the early model classifications constantly changed.  We will look at early Steinway model families, learn what drove the style names, and make sense of styles and models.  We will learn about the most important Steinway researcher, Mr. Roy Kehl, and make use of his carefully researched study of Steinway factory production.

Certain Steinway pianos designed during this period were extremely innovative;  all styles reflected this, but especially the Monitor Grand (both the prototype and the production models) and the Centennial Grand. 

Certain remanufacturing and restoration challenges are daunting and can result in great frustration and destruction.  In the rebuilding segment we will look at differences in action and belly design from modern pianos, and how these differences which create challenges to the rebuilder;  we will look at how to avoid common pitfalls found in problematic rebuilds.  However, the rebuilder should be aware that all  of these pianos should be considered as conservation candidates. 

Because of the historical significance of these instruments, we will become familiar with the knowledge, resources and techniques of the conservator.  Without this the time will come when no accurate documentation of early Steinway grands will exist.  The person in the best position to influence this decision is the piano technician;  we hope to arm the technician with the best resources for sound advice as an expert consultant.  This program introduces the subject of keyboard conservation and addresses key issues which any responsible consultant or technician should be aware of.

Discovering the First Modern Steinway Grand:   In this 1.5 hour class a brief overview of the first two Steinway wing grand families will be followed by an intensive look at the innovative “Monitor” grand - the prototype 1869 “Iron Grand” just discovered in Belgium, and the production “Monitor” or Style 1 grand built from 1872 to 1878.   This first modern Steinway grand formed the design basis for modern Steinway grand design, and included the revolutionary “Patent Resonator” - a dominant element in the Steinway catalogs until the late 1870s. The next modern design, the Centennial concert grand of 1875, will also be examined.  A brief discussion of piano conservation and documentation will also take place. 

This is also an ongoing research project.  Each trip I take to another region to present a program includes an effort to find and document an early Steinway.  If you are a piano technician or avocational enthusiast of piano technology, you can help with this project.  Please go to The Early Steinway Research Project if you wish explore this subject further, or assist in any way.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

7:30 PM  November 11, 2019

Restoring the Antique Steinway Piano:  Best Practices

Using an 1871 Steinway 7’2” grand for case study examples, this presentation looks at the challenges an antique Steinway grand presents, and the “best practices” choices which present the piano restorer.   Pomona Valley Chapter, PTG.  At the shop of Shull Piano, 610 Amigos Dr., Redlands, CA  92354   

 PAST PROGRAMS

April 18, 2015, Seattle Chapter PTG will host:

The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892

A Comprehensive Survey of Early Steinway Models

History of Early Steinway Design

Restoration and Conservation Protocols

The Seattle Chapter of the PTG will host an all-day seminar, “The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892” on April 18, 2015 at the shop of Ed McMorrow, Lighthammer Piano, 1024 4th Ave S, Edmonds, WA  98020   206 343-9901  Free for Seattle chapter members, $25 for other PTG members, $50 for non-members.   For more information contact Joe Goheen, President, Seattle Chapter, Piano Technicians Guild  425 487-6063

The Early Steinway Piano, 1853-1892

9 AM to 5 PM  May 12, 2012

At the shop of EJ Buck and Sons (Larry Buck)

171 Lincoln St., Lowell, MA 

“The Early Steinway Piano, 1856-1892”

October 14, 2011 Steinway Hall, London, England (sponsored by the Piano Technicians Association of Great Britian)

October 15, 2011 Finchcocks Musueum, Kent, England

https://shackellpianos.wordpress.com/2011/10/

 “The Early Steinway Grand, 1856-1886”

May 24, 2008 from 10 to 5 PM at the Klavierhaus in New York City.  Jointly sponsored by Klavierhaus and the New York City Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild.

 August 2, 2008 at the shop of Dale Erwin in Modesto, CA sponsored by several chapters of the PTG, including the Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento chapters.  An 1864 Steinway grand was on site for this seminar.

Saturday, November 10, 2007, an all-day program at Moe’s Pianos, the Steinway store in Portland Oregon, sponsored jointly by Moe’s Pianos and the Portland Chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild, “The Early Steinway Grand, 1856-1886.  Moe’s Pianos was once in possession of #1225, the “first art case Steinway grand,” which was at the Manhattan showroom last year and received great attention.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, a half-day seminar, “The Early Steinway Grand,” at the Pacific Northwest Regional Conference of the Piano Technicians Guild, Portland, OR.

Saturday May 18, 2007, “The Early Steinway Grand and the Seward House Monitor Grand,” in the drawing room of the William Seward House in Auburn, New York, sponsored by the Syracuse and Southern Tier Chapters of the Piano Technicians Guild.   This included a report on the just-documented first Monitor Iron Prototype Grand in Belgium, the first truly modern Steinway grand ever built, serial number 19434, and the first true ancestor of any modern Steinway scale, the model “B.” 

In 1872 a Steinway Monitor Grand was purchased by William Seward Jr. for his wife.  This piano, #26608, is in nearly original condition, with it’s original CF Theodore Steinway Action.  One of the first production Steinway “B” ancestors (the production began in 1872), the piano is the production version of the prototype Monitor Iron Grand which we’ve just re-discovered.

The William Seward House is an important museum of American history.  With a full-time curator, Peter Wisbey, and frequent tours, the visitor will receive a window into an important time of United States history, culture and social thought.  www.sewardhouse.org 

February 8-11, 2007,  Two-part convention program (3 hours) California State Conference, San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel

October 17, 2006, Boston Chapter PTG, “Introduction to the Early Steinway Grand,” a chapter program presentaion.  It included photos of an 1856 Steinway which we will have inspected and documented the day before.   http://www.bostonptg.org

October 21, 2006, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter/Joint Chapter All-Day Seminar Warrington, PA. 

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