In a period where one type of grand piano design totally dominates all others, it may be difficult to appreciate the originality of builders like Kranich & Bach. [The builders' names in German--crane and stream--are reflected in the fall board transfer.] Alfred Dolge devotes four pages of his Pianos and Their Makers to a history and description of the company. I agree with Mike Jorgensen's recent description of these instruments. Dolge commented: "Sentimental Kranich was the fine strung musician who preferred the drawing board and the tone regulator's needle to the work bench, while Bach had not the patience for that sort of thing and enjoyed the music of the circular saw and planing machine, becoming enthusiastic over a particularly fine lot of sound board lumber or richly figured rosewood, mahogany or walnut veneer. Kranich was the artist in tone creation--Bach the enthusiast in creating solid and artistic woodwork for the pianos." ---------------------------------- Edward E. Swenson Pianos and Fortepianos http://www.clarityconnect.com/webpages4/piano/ 11 Congress St. P.O. Box 634 Trumansburg, NY 14886-0634 USA 607-387-6650 FAX: 607-387-3905
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