fortepiano

[Ken Eschete]

>Dear Rick,

I have come across pianos like what you are describing, although not 
by that particular maker (or dealer if it is a "stencil piano").  I 
am not sure that the  presence of a Viennese action makes this a 
"fortepiano", but rather a mid-19th century grand piano with a 
composite plate. Some Viennese makers, including Bosendorfer, stuck 
with that action long after the rest of the piano makers had started 
using the Erard type.  I have seen them with full cast iron plates 
with cross-strung bass, and still a Viennese action!

The value of that instrument is about the same as any other from that 
period...the style of action and makers name will not enhance the 
value.  If it plays and holds tuning; and if it has a nice 19th 
century case; that is what will determine it's value. What was the 
price on the piano?

Sincerely,

Ken Eschete
Northwestern Univ.




>Hi all,
>
>I was asked to evaluate a piano for sale yesterday and wasn't totally
>prepared for what I found.  It is a fortepiano.  It has a Viennese action,
>an unusual flanged damper system, and a substantial plate (much of it bolted
>together)  One curious thing about the plate is that it passes through the
>bass bridge, you have to remove the bridge  cap from the root in order to
>remove the plate.
>
>Anyway, we talked about what the piano was musically, but I didn't have any
>historical answers.  I assume that it would be dated somewhere around 1850's
>to 1860's as it is similar to the beefier structure of the Schrimpf
>fortepiano here at the school.
>
>The soundboard decal says:
>
>Weltausstellung Wein 1853 (reference to the 1873 Vienna World Fair I assume)
>Pianoforte-Fabrik
>vor
>Josef Berger
>Vien
>V. Margarethenstrafse 59  (address?)
>Werk 1702  (I assume this is a serial #, as it appears on other parts)
>
>
>Anyone know who this Josef Berger was?  I can't find his name anywhere in my
>books or the various internet sights.  If so, does the serial # point to a
>date?  Lastly, does this particular builder hold any significance in the
>history of the piano, or was he just another builder in Vienna?
>
>
>Thanks for any info.
>_____________
>Rick Florence
>Piano Technician
>Arizona State University, School of Music

-- 
Kenneth Eschete
Director of Keyboard Maintenance            Phone: 847/467-6970
Northwestern University School of Music	    FAX: 847/491-5260 
				    711 Elgin Rd.; Evanston, Il 60208

  EMAIL: k-eschete@northwestern.edu