New Petrof 210 review

[Ric Brekne]

Hi folks

Just back from a very successfull Nordic Piano Convention 2006.  Many 
highlights to be sure. Roger Jolly did a phenomenal job with his 
seminar.  But here I just wanted to submit a quick review of the new 
Petrof 210 grand.

Many of you know I have this love / hate affair with Petrofs.  This new 
model is definatly going to make me move in the direction of the former 
and away from the later.  Several interesting new bits for Petrof in 
addition to a clearly three or four notch climb in basic quality control 
issues.  The instrument takes into use some of the design issues 
discussed frequently on this list.  A full sized cutoff bar and the 
employment of the fish are included.  The soundboard is tapered in 
Steinway like fashion but with the goal of having the thickest part 
under the long bridge at all times.  In addition the ribs are machined 
such that they are thickest directly under the long bridge. There is a 
<<tension regulator/collector>> installed in the form of a turnbuckle 
that connects the belly rail to the plate at the pinblock between the 
bass tenor break. Individually tied strings are also a change. I'm sure 
there is much more that I should include, but perhaps Kjell or one of 
the other fellows on hand may pipe in with some more details.

The sound of this piano was curiously very much akin to the kind of 
sound I was picking up from the Overs piano, and to a lesser degree the 
Nossaman B. Especially in the higher treble area.  In contrast to the 
kind of bell like klang that Steinways functioning at their best 
attain,  I would describe the high treble in these three as being more 
<<chime>> like.  It is a particularly beautiful characteristic in my 
opinion. I wonder however, how this will be accepted in a world that 
seems to have decided it likes the Steinway picture.  For myself... I 
love variety and hope for its success as I hope very much for the 
success of the Overs endeavor.

I cant help tho thinking of many comments I have from teachers, students 
and visiting pianists about our CF 111. This is the most beautiful 9 
foot Yamaha I've ever run into and one of the nicest all around concert 
grands I've seen.  Yet nearly everyone who plays on it sees it as 
limited in terms of what kind of music it is appropriate for.  And they 
nearly all point to the sound of the last two and a half octaves. Its 
sound goes off in another direction entirely... and I at the moment lack 
a colorful descriptive to offer... but it is clear and resonant in a 
very different fashion then Steinways are thats for sure.

Anyways... for my part... Petrofs have jumped a couple hacks up the 
ladder in quality and musicality.  It is my understanding they are going 
to employ most of these design modifications to each of present grand 
models and that this process will be complete in the next couple years. 
Petrof seems committed to entering the higher quality market with a 
classic central European sound clearly coloured by the sum of these new 
(for them) design issues.  I for one applaud their effort in this regard

Cheers
RicB