Schimmel/Colani Pegaus Concert Grand Piano

[atonal@telusplanet.net]

> 
>    I thought those of you who haven't seen this yet would be interested in
> seeing a picture on the web. It's truly an amazing looking piano.
>    On the cover of the latest mail order catalog from "The Sharper Image"
> is a glorious color photo of a piano monstrosity.  The Schimmel/Colani Pegasus
> Concert Grand is a conventional grand piano in a futuristic, shiny black
> carbon-fiber reinforced case and it rests on a pedestal of transparent
> Plexiglas; it seems to hover in the air.
>    Adorning the top is a sculpture of Pegasus (it looks sort of like a hood
> ornament). Powered by a unique electrically-driven lift mechanism, the top
> can be set at any angle with the slightest touch (a safety mechanism holds
> it in place even in the event of a power failure). The recessed fallboard
> has a hydraulic safety feature, and the recessed Plexiglas music desk can
> be set at two angles. Two casters allow the piano to be moved. The purchase
> of an instrument of this quality includes consultation and professional
> set-up and installation. The most unusaul feature is the way the piano's
> plastic case incorporates an adjustable bench which is an integral part of
> the piano case.
>    The purchase of this piano at $150,000 includes a consultation and
> professional set-up and installation. Service is available through Schimmel
> piano dealers.
>    You simply have to see this to believe it. Click on the Hammacher Schlemmer
> URL below to see it. Once you are on the web site, click on "Product Search"
> and search for it under the product code number 18726H or simply enter
> Schimmel and search on that.
> 
> http://www.hammacher.com
> 
> For a real kick, request a mail order catalog so you can enjoy this example
> of wierdness.
> 
> Avery
>

Avery, 

	Have you not seen a Pegasus? They've been causing reactions 
for a while now, from my boss ( ...it's cool!) to my wife (... it's 
horrid!) The distinctive look comes from the automotive lacquer 
coatings that are used on the cases. The length  (according to the 
Schimmel web page) is 311 cm, or just over 10 feet, but that must 
include the integrated bench. There are many more shots of the 
Pegasus on the Schimmel homepage (in German) at 
http://www.schimmel-piano.de/pegasus.html
Also, check out the Schimmel/Colani Pegasus vertical at 
http://www.schimmel-piano.de/klaviere/120P-101.html 

	(Personally, I think it's funky... it looks kinda like a deflated 
bean-bag chair or a Dali sculpture when it's closed, look at 
http://www.schimmel-piano.de/fluegel/208P-142.html. However, a 
little while ago, I read that PianoDisc had installed a full playback 
system in a Pegasus grand for a Texas millionaire... hope they 
didn't scratch the paint...)


Regards, 


Rob Kiddell, 
Registered Piano Technician, PTG
atonal@telusplanet.net

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