Stu always rocks on his analysis of piano brands and models! As a pianist, I wish I had all that knowledge to verbalize whether I like a piano or not and why.
Stu is certainly one of the most articulate musicians I've had the pleasure of knowing. While most of us will have that gut instinct as to why we like one instrument over another, it can be difficult to find the exact words to express the "why".
It is hard to argue with that statement! Bechstein pianos offer unparalleled musicality and expressivity. We're happy to hear that you're still enjoying your Bechstein semi-concert grand. :)
This is my dream piano. I am in the Toronto area and can't find one here. I would have to purchase and ship one from Europe. I currently have a 1976 Bechstein M.
Hey stu! I go my Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand now almost a month ago and it still completely blows my mind. I really set my heart and my imagination on fire, it just a feeling of such freedom and joy its hard to describe ^^ I wish to hear your analysis of some of the Bösendorfer Model, also the difference between the traditional models and the VCs! Thanks for the cool video ;)
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for writing in and congrats on your 290 Imperial! We are not Bosendorfer dealers at this time, but we have had some excellent Bosendorfer grands come through our showrooms on purchase/trade. If the opportunity presents for a comparison, we will certainly do our best to tackle that. :)
I'm not a classic pianist and never played any of these but every time I hear a Bechstein I prefer it's sound over a Steinway. To me it sounds brighter, more clear while Steinway sounds very dark and the higher notes to me often don't sound very pleasant.
They are both wonderful pianos of course. But, every player will resonate with a different tonal profile. It is hard to argue with your sentiments about the C. Bechstein sound though. They are remarkable instruments! :)
Great content! love hearing your opinions and justifications. We recently went to the Bechstein showroom in Vienna and were somewhat disappointed after hearing your exaltations over the years, but I suspect it had more to do with the overstuffed uninspired showroom, pushy salesman, and surprisingly poor room acoustics than the pianos themselves. This was exacerbated by the fact that we had just come from the gorgeous Bosendorfer showroom in the Musikverein, which was a religious experience. Like shopping for cars and going from Porsche to Chevy. Steinway showroom in New York was in between - beautiful place and gorgeous pianos but super aggressive sales staff. The experience matters - we're talking about something that costs $150 - $200K! Psychoacoustics!
Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing your experiences. I certainly agree that the experience matters. Also, how a piano is prepped and positioned within a room (along with the room details itself) all play a part in the overall sonic experience. Beyond that, it really comes down to subjectivity and personal preference. There is no denying that these are all amazing piano brands. The choice between them is deeply personal and contingent on one's musical preferences. Thanks again and happy playing!
Absolutely! The Shigeru Kawai pianos are another fan favourite from the upper echelon of the piano industry. My ideal combination of instruments if money wasn't an option would be the C. Bechstein A192 and Shigeru Kawai SK3. Magical pianos! :)
I have owned and I’ve always loved the sound of the Steinway… However, after hearing the C Bechstein, it is also very beautiful. Excellent analysis video. I look forward to a comparison of Yamaha CFX and Kawai.
Seiler pianos are beautiful instruments. The SE186 model in particular is quite special. For me, the distinct tonal features of Seiler pianos is their transparency and balance. Where some manufacturers in this category are known for powerful bass sections or colourful treble sections, Seiler pianos are wonderfully consistent across all registers. They are one of the dark horses of the upper-tier sector of the piano industry.
SE186 sounds similar to A192 of Bechstein. This was my piano to buy, before I decided to stick to Bechstein. I think the SE186 is evn warmer than rhe Bechstein. You have an amzing piano. Don’t look elsewhere just play that till your heart’s content and play even more. Also, if you like the tone of Seiler (German) chances are you will not like the sound of NY Steinway.
I m no ‘’blind’’admirer of Steinway,but when i listen sound of Steinway (especially in comparison with another piano s brand)-i have feel:sound of Steinway -best in world (have so many different s component of sound )
Lucky me, I have both. I have a new C. Bechstein Concert 8 and a 1927 Hamburg Steinway A. While the Concert 8 isn't an grand, it's a damn powerful upright, almost like a grand, with the exception of a grand's action. When I sit at the C. Bechstein I'm thinking, I can't believe I get to play this. And when I sit at the Steinway, the same thing, I can't believe I get to play this. And I love their differences. I agree with you, the C. Bechstein is more orchestral, has a richer, more dimensional sound. The Steinway is less orchestral, more direct, more to the point. They're both fantastic. I love them both.
Thanks so much for writing in! That sounds like the ideal scenario. You have two gorgeous pianos to play on when a piece/inspiration guides you towards one of those instruments. The Concert 8 is incredible. It is really not far off from a grand musically (aside from the action as you've pointed out). Thanks again for tuning in and happy playing on your two wonderful pianos! :)
I am curious Stu, why don't we see C. Bechsteins in piano competitions? In professional studio recordings? Maybe it's a result of Steinway's artist program funnel? I had the pleasure of playing an A208 C Bechstein in Montreal, and it was wonderful. Bell-like treble, growl in the bass, a sustain that just keeps going. A bit above my budget, but may sell up in a few years from the SK-5, which I was also taken with.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I think the Bechstein name and reputation is still growing here in North America. Seeing Bechstein pianos used in concert halls, studios, and competitions in Europe is more common place from my understanding. With that said, it is hard to deny their majestic tone and musicality. They are wonderful pianos as you have experienced firsthand. The SK5 is a powerhouse instrument too and it is tough to compete with the Shigeru Kawai grands in terms of cost-to-value ratios. I am not surprised you were taken with that wonderful model! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the reply Brent, that makes sense. More reason to tour Europe during concert season! I hope to see more of them as they have a unique and surpassing tone. Now that I mention it, I recall this recording of Scriabin's Op 16. preludes on a Bechstein, if youtube will allow the link: ua-cam.com/video/nJ_FdD6PVj4/v-deo.html
Given they are both produced to a comparable quality standard, I'd go with Bechstein because I feel that Steinway annoyingly gets by a bit too much on their reputation, even though it IS based on a history of quality.
There is no doubt that Steinway earned their prestigious reputation from a long history of quality and consistency. With that said, it is certainly worth exploring both of these brands. Bechstein make some of the finest pianos in the world as far as I am concerned. The power and expressivity they offer is immense. :)
Steinway has a balance of percussiveness and glassiness which is versatile but a serious reason for their “special” status is that they make instruments available to prominent musicians for free in exchange for the musicians NEVER performing on other brands. People hear “oh they’ll only perform on Steinway” and they faint or whatever, but it’s simply a contract that saves the artist money in terms of bringing in instruments. One can be grateful that Steinway is still around while also finding it a little regrettable that there is this deception and pretentiousness about it.
@@CharlesLangSamuel I think that a fine demonstration of a musician's true capabilities would be for them to play whatever happens to be in-house at a particular venue. A shipmate of mine in Okinawa would make a beat-up old Everett vertical in the rec hall "come alive", bad tuning and sick voicing notwithstanding.
@@MerriamPianos I play badly; I started FAR too late. I'd not kick ANY Kawai to the curb; I am fond of all of them. I have just a CL-40, but even my snobbish friends just about line up to play it.
High frequency hearing loss is a reality for some of us, so the difference in presence, amplitude, and interplay of upper harmonics beteeen these two pianos may not be heard by all. However, the general differences in tonal quality you describe are still spot-on, even though not all will hear the same detail.
Hi! Brent here! That is certainly the case for some players. High frequencies are usually the first to go in our hearing. I have certainly lost some high frequencies from years of touring in rock bands and not wearing hearing protection. I can relate to the sentiment for sure.
Thank you very much for your video! I had played a concert programme for my diploma at a music college and had to choose a grand piano for it, Steinway or Bechstein? And Bechstein was my choice!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here. You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! That is a very difficult choice, but I would have landed at the same place you did. ;)
Valentina Lisitsa's recently 'adopted' 100 year old C. Bechstein is a pleasure to listen to. Of course, anything she plays on sounds great, but Steinways are so mainstream that their tone inevitably comes across a little pedestrian.
I’m not a professional pianist, just an intermediate student but trebles on Steinway seem to be a bit of metallic voice compared to very well balanced Bechstein. Not only on this video, but almost everywhere here in UA-cam. Thanks Stu and Brent for creating and supporting!
I think you might be describing something I have noticed as well: when NY Steinways are voiced in their treble range for power they can sound a bit clangorous. My NY Steinway B has a beautiful treble, but it could certainly do with more projection. I just really don’t like what happens to the timbre when the hammers are hardened. On the other hand, I find many of the top European pianos produce a nice clear sound but are too bright for my taste. The mid-size piano that for me has the best balance of power, clarity, and sweetness in the treble range, at least of the pianos I have played, is the Shigeru Kawai SK-3, which seems to be a piano that Stu particularly likes as well. Another piano I loved when I heard it years ago was the Hamburg Steinway A, which I believe is exactly the same length as the SK-3. Stu has a recent video playing a Hamburg A (the John Lennon white piano). I wonder if Shigeru Kawai modeled the SK-3 on the Steinway A.
Brent here! You're very welcome! Thank you for supporting the channel. We appreciate you taking the time to check out all of the videos and share your thoughts. These are both great pianos, but I tend to agree with you. The balance and musicality of the C. Bechstein grands is hard to compete with.
Also, it feels me with pride when one of rhe best piano tuners in Ottawa comes to tune my piano and plays it after every tuning. His reasons, “It is the only C. Bechstein I tune”. Ottawa is predominantly a Steinway town.
I wonder if he is the same tuner who pokes a bit of fun at my “little” Kawai grand and can boast that he tunes Angela Hewitt’s Yamaha when she’s not on tour with her Fazioli?
@@Quince828 My tuner, a genuine Steinway Certified Technician, is just about crazy in love with my "little" (as in down-market) Kawai. It just dials right in, and sounds truly amazing when he gets done with it.
Thank you! We are not Bluthner dealers, so it is a bit trickier to tackle reviews on their pianos. With that said, if one comes in on trade and the opportunity presents itself, we will do our best to tackle a review/comparison for you. :)
I've never heard a Bechstein live, but I have Jorge Bolet's wonderful Liszt set, in which he used a Bechstein. On those Decca recordings, the bass seems a bit weak, in comparison to a Steinway or Bösendorfer. Is that just the "engineering" of the recordings, or do you think this is the case, in general? Thanks!
Hi! Brent here! I personally don't think that is the case at all. Bechstein pianos have wonderful bass section. I will say that certain microphones can roll off the low end bass frequencies and really augment the upper frequencies. So, it is possible that was the case. The best way to fully experience what a piano has to offer is in person of course. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks much for your answer; I was actually hoping that it was the fault of the recordings, considering the reputation and history of Bechstein. Those recordings are excellent in other ways: very clean, clear, and with a sense of the space. I was a violinist in a major orchestra for 50(!) years, and of course I got to hear countless fine, and some truly great, pianists, and of course American Steinways dominated, but Hamburg examples became my favorite. We had a Bösendorfer Imperial for a few years, given to us by a patron, but only a couple of people, (Victor Borge being one) ever played it in concert. (Contract obligations?) It had a very interesting sound, but I thought the Hamburg was still better!
Congratulations on your P126! The Hoffmann instruments (especially the P series pianos) are incredible! I know it will serve you well musically for many years to come. :)
While I am still only a piano student from the times I have heard the C Berchstein they sound incredible. Steinway are not my preference as I do find them to be dark and something strange that I could not put my finger on until you explained it. Honestly I prefer the CFX over Steinways.
Different pianos resonate with different players of course. With that said, it is hard to argue with being enchanted by the incredible tones of a C. Bechstein piano. :)
My New York Steinway B is a very fine piano. When freshly tuned, voiced, and regulated, it can stand comparison with any of the world’s other great pianos. It is certainly true that Steinways are sometimes purchased by wealthy people who don’t properly appreciate them as musical instruments - but, sadly, that is also true of Bösendorfers, Bechsteins, and the other great makes.
Brand reputation is certainly a factor for some piano shoppers. With that said, Steinway make excellent pianos. The reputation is merited through years of consistency and quality. There are pianos that I prefer more musically, but I would be more than happy to come home everyday to a Steinway grand in my living room. ;)
@@MerriamPianos One Steinway would be one that I would welcome in my home in an instant: the model o. Higher the opportunity to play one in a home out in California and I really really liked it. I've heard other model O's and some videos and they're really something.
@@499735 Yes, it is true. It breaks my heart to see these wonderful instruments sitting there being nothing but furniture. They need to be played. Even if badly like I play, they need to be played. They have a soul. Even the very cheapest mass-produced instrument has a soul.
I actually prefer the darker tone. Even though I also play Jazz & Latin music which one would instantly think "bright" or "Yamaha". I like to indulge myself in playing some smooth, calm, "Bill Evans" style harmonies without too many overtones getting in the way.
That is certainly fair! There are no firm rules musically when it comes to using a specific tonal profile for a specific genre of music. Thanks for tuning in! :)
Dear Stu, would you mind doing this side by side comparison with a modern Steinway Model B from the Hamburg factory ? I think the specific Steinway Grand Piano you are using in this video does not properly represent the qualities which these Instruments deliver today. That being said, still Team Bechstein. Greetings from Seifhennersdorf !
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While we get New York Steinways come in on trade/purchase on a regular basis, Hamburg Steinways are much more rare in Canada. With that said, if we do happen to get a Hamburg Model B, I am quite confident our production team would be tackling video reviews/comparisons that feature it.
Hi Stu, thanks for sharing! We own a bechstein studio A189 manufactured in 1997, the one without the C. and with futuristic fonts. That was before the academic series I believe. I dunno if u happen to know such pianos? I think I generally resonate with what you said here, and the piano does sound similar. But one interesting thing I felt is that Chopin pieces are much harder to play on my piano versus a Steinway. On a Steinway the melody line almost effortlessly sings, whereas the same play can sound clumsy and boomy on my Bechstein. This does not happen when I play Beethoven or Mozart. I am wondering, is this something you can relate to, or do u think it is something specific to this piano line, or is it something that tuning/voicing/regulation can change? We don’t see many bechsteins around here so cannot really compare. Thanks in advance!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for watching and writing in! It sounds like you have a wonderful Bechstein grand at home! We have seen older Bechstein models (which had different scale designs) come through our showrooms on trade. In terms of your tonal question, I am quite confident that this is something that could be addressed and resolved with voicing by an experienced technician. If you have not had voicing completed yet, it may be worth trying. If you explain the exact scenario with your tech, they should be able to help improve things. :)
Bechstein is like a Ferrari, it will take time to master it but after that it will respond to whatever you need, you are full responsible on how machine acts. Steinway is like a high-end Mercedes; it will always perform good even if it means you (as a driver) may loose some controls.
That is a very great analogy! The Bechstein Academy models are a bit more forgiving in that sense. The Concert series less so, but the musical advantages are immense once you learn how to steer them. :)
The L167 and Model M are the closer points of reference in terms of size, but I understand the sentiments. I love the A192 as well! Steinway Ms can be a little hit and miss to me personally (some have been great, some have been a bit underwhelming for the price point). In any case, these are all truly wonderful pianos of course!
Too much talking, not enough A/B comparison playing for my taste - I can use my own ears to figure out what's what - but the explanations are well articulated.
August Forster make excellent pianos as well of course. Every piano manufacturer offers their own unique musical identity, so it really comes down to a matter of a player's personal taste.
Pianos sound so different from one another, even across the same model. What is super cool is how lucky we are with manufacturing being so good these days. Pianos from most respectable manufacturers are going to be amazing instruments. I’d say that a midrange piano can give a Steinway and Bechstein a run for their money any day of the week. Most of the differences will just be in instrument characteristics, but in terms of quality of the instrument (does it play well, sound good, and will it last) those midrange pianos will be as good as their more expensive counterparts, and in some cases even better. This does not take away the majesty of instruments like Steinway or Bechstein. Rather, it gives us all the opportunity to have instruments that are every bit as good as those lovely instruments that you are playng. And if you have the money to spend on a lovely “luxury piano,” it would be a sin not to do so. :)
The whole subject of tonal superiority within the piano world is deeply subjective of course. It is true that there can be some large disparity between different specimens of the same model. However, I find that it depends on the manufacturer. Bechstein invests a great deal of time, energy, and money into optimizing consistency. It is quite impressive to hear how consistent three A192 pianos in a row can sound like. In terms of midrange pianos being just as good as their more expensive counterparts, it all comes down to preference and context of use. There are rock/pop recordings in which a small, old apartment upright is the sound that fits the best to capture a certain vibe/level of intimacy. With that said, the musical nuance, tonal/dynamic range, and expressivity that a piano like a C. Bechstein Concert series grand is capable of is hard to achieve from mid-range pianos in my opinion. They are immense and impressive instruments.
Yamaha make wonderful pianos of course. It all comes down to preference. But, with that said, the C. Bechstein and Steinway lines are widely considered to be of a higher quality tier than Yamaha.
@@MerriamPianos thank you sir for your answer, I am a big fan of your channel. It was just a "boutade", since I have a Yamaha that I love, but of course would perhaps love better a Steinway or Bechstein! Merci beaucoup
They're both great piano lines. And you are certainly correct that the way a piano is voiced and prepped has a lot to do with the musical experience it provides.
We try to keep things as objective as possible around here as there is so much subjectivity at play when it comes to rating piano brands/models. It is a deeply personal choice that comes down to a specific player's musical preferences.
Stu always rocks on his analysis of piano brands and models! As a pianist, I wish I had all that knowledge to verbalize whether I like a piano or not and why.
Stu is certainly one of the most articulate musicians I've had the pleasure of knowing. While most of us will have that gut instinct as to why we like one instrument over another, it can be difficult to find the exact words to express the "why".
The midrange and precision of the Bechstein always wins me over
Very well said! They are impressively articulate instruments - that is for sure. :)
Bechstein forever and always for me. I've had my 7'4" Bechstein since 1973.
It is hard to argue with that statement! Bechstein pianos offer unparalleled musicality and expressivity. We're happy to hear that you're still enjoying your Bechstein semi-concert grand. :)
This is my dream piano. I am in the Toronto area and can't find one here. I would have to purchase and ship one from Europe. I currently have a 1976 Bechstein M.
Between the two, the C. Bechstein is the one that will make me cry at beautiful music. It just feels more emotional.
I can certainly understand that. The expressivity and musicality of the Bechstein grands are quite impressive to say the least. :)
Hey stu! I go my Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand now almost a month ago and it still completely blows my mind. I really set my heart and my imagination on fire, it just a feeling of such freedom and joy its hard to describe ^^ I wish to hear your analysis of some of the Bösendorfer Model, also the difference between the traditional models and the VCs! Thanks for the cool video ;)
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for writing in and congrats on your 290 Imperial! We are not Bosendorfer dealers at this time, but we have had some excellent Bosendorfer grands come through our showrooms on purchase/trade. If the opportunity presents for a comparison, we will certainly do our best to tackle that. :)
I am loving my 214 VC
I'm not a classic pianist and never played any of these but every time I hear a Bechstein I prefer it's sound over a Steinway. To me it sounds brighter, more clear while Steinway sounds very dark and the higher notes to me often don't sound very pleasant.
They are both wonderful pianos of course. But, every player will resonate with a different tonal profile. It is hard to argue with your sentiments about the C. Bechstein sound though. They are remarkable instruments! :)
Bobby Short, a lounge singer at the old Plaza Hotel in NYC was a Bechstein man. So was Duke Ellington.
What an awesome review, thank you
You're very welcome! Thank you for watching! :)
Great content! love hearing your opinions and justifications. We recently went to the Bechstein showroom in Vienna and were somewhat disappointed after hearing your exaltations over the years, but I suspect it had more to do with the overstuffed uninspired showroom, pushy salesman, and surprisingly poor room acoustics than the pianos themselves. This was exacerbated by the fact that we had just come from the gorgeous Bosendorfer showroom in the Musikverein, which was a religious experience. Like shopping for cars and going from Porsche to Chevy. Steinway showroom in New York was in between - beautiful place and gorgeous pianos but super aggressive sales staff. The experience matters - we're talking about something that costs $150 - $200K! Psychoacoustics!
Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing your experiences. I certainly agree that the experience matters. Also, how a piano is prepped and positioned within a room (along with the room details itself) all play a part in the overall sonic experience. Beyond that, it really comes down to subjectivity and personal preference. There is no denying that these are all amazing piano brands. The choice between them is deeply personal and contingent on one's musical preferences. Thanks again and happy playing!
That Steinway sounded quite nice. The Shigeru Kawai's I've heard are some of the loveliest sounding pianos of all.
Absolutely! The Shigeru Kawai pianos are another fan favourite from the upper echelon of the piano industry. My ideal combination of instruments if money wasn't an option would be the C. Bechstein A192 and Shigeru Kawai SK3. Magical pianos! :)
@@MerriamPianos I love it. What parts would you take from each?
Stu has the ability of using words to describe a piano similarly to that of a poet using them to describe life.
I have owned and I’ve always loved the sound of the Steinway… However, after hearing the C Bechstein, it is also very beautiful. Excellent analysis video. I look forward to a comparison of Yamaha CFX and Kawai.
Thanks so much! We're glad you found the video interesting. And we will do our best to tackle that comparison for you! :)
I have recently played a German made Seiler 186. I really liked the tone. I wonder how these pianos compare to the Steinway and Bechstein.
Seiler pianos are beautiful instruments. The SE186 model in particular is quite special. For me, the distinct tonal features of Seiler pianos is their transparency and balance. Where some manufacturers in this category are known for powerful bass sections or colourful treble sections, Seiler pianos are wonderfully consistent across all registers. They are one of the dark horses of the upper-tier sector of the piano industry.
SE186 sounds similar to A192 of Bechstein. This was my piano to buy, before I decided to stick to Bechstein. I think the SE186 is evn warmer than rhe Bechstein. You have an amzing piano. Don’t look elsewhere just play that till your heart’s content and play even more. Also, if you like the tone of Seiler (German) chances are you will not like the sound of NY Steinway.
I m no ‘’blind’’admirer of Steinway,but when i listen sound of Steinway (especially in comparison with another piano s brand)-i have feel:sound of Steinway -best in world (have so many different s component of sound )
That is certainly fair! Tonal preference is a deeply subjective matter of course. Everyone will gravitate towards a different sound musically. :)
Lucky me, I have both. I have a new C. Bechstein Concert 8 and a 1927 Hamburg Steinway A. While the Concert 8 isn't an grand, it's a damn powerful upright, almost like a grand, with the exception of a grand's action. When I sit at the C. Bechstein I'm thinking, I can't believe I get to play this. And when I sit at the Steinway, the same thing, I can't believe I get to play this. And I love their differences. I agree with you, the C. Bechstein is more orchestral, has a richer, more dimensional sound. The Steinway is less orchestral, more direct, more to the point. They're both fantastic. I love them both.
Thanks so much for writing in! That sounds like the ideal scenario. You have two gorgeous pianos to play on when a piece/inspiration guides you towards one of those instruments. The Concert 8 is incredible. It is really not far off from a grand musically (aside from the action as you've pointed out). Thanks again for tuning in and happy playing on your two wonderful pianos! :)
Both great pianos but my personal favorite is Mason and Hamlin. Oh and…Stu is the man!
That is certainly fair! Mason & Hamlin make wonderful instruments too of course. I'll be happy to pass on the compliment to Stu. ;)
Because Bechstein may or may not be available where I'm at I have no choice LOL. Both are really good instruments🦊🎹🎶
Hopefully, you have an opportunity to audition Bechstein pianos. They are truly impressive instruments! :)
I am curious Stu, why don't we see C. Bechsteins in piano competitions? In professional studio recordings? Maybe it's a result of Steinway's artist program funnel?
I had the pleasure of playing an A208 C Bechstein in Montreal, and it was wonderful. Bell-like treble, growl in the bass, a sustain that just keeps going. A bit above my budget, but may sell up in a few years from the SK-5, which I was also taken with.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! I think the Bechstein name and reputation is still growing here in North America. Seeing Bechstein pianos used in concert halls, studios, and competitions in Europe is more common place from my understanding. With that said, it is hard to deny their majestic tone and musicality. They are wonderful pianos as you have experienced firsthand.
The SK5 is a powerhouse instrument too and it is tough to compete with the Shigeru Kawai grands in terms of cost-to-value ratios. I am not surprised you were taken with that wonderful model! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the reply Brent, that makes sense. More reason to tour Europe during concert season! I hope to see more of them as they have a unique and surpassing tone.
Now that I mention it, I recall this recording of Scriabin's Op 16. preludes on a Bechstein, if youtube will allow the link:
ua-cam.com/video/nJ_FdD6PVj4/v-deo.html
While I’d be blessed to own either a NY Steinway and Sons or a C Bechstein, I much prefer the clarity of the C Bechstein.
They are certainly both great pianos, but I share your sentiments. There is a certain magic and clarity that is unique to the Bechstein grands! :)
Given they are both produced to a comparable quality standard, I'd go with Bechstein because I feel that Steinway annoyingly gets by a bit too much on their reputation, even though it IS based on a history of quality.
There is no doubt that Steinway earned their prestigious reputation from a long history of quality and consistency. With that said, it is certainly worth exploring both of these brands. Bechstein make some of the finest pianos in the world as far as I am concerned. The power and expressivity they offer is immense. :)
Steinway has a balance of percussiveness and glassiness which is versatile but a serious reason for their “special” status is that they make instruments available to prominent musicians for free in exchange for the musicians NEVER performing on other brands. People hear “oh they’ll only perform on Steinway” and they faint or whatever, but it’s simply a contract that saves the artist money in terms of bringing in instruments. One can be grateful that Steinway is still around while also finding it a little regrettable that there is this deception and pretentiousness about it.
@@CharlesLangSamuel I think that a fine demonstration of a musician's true capabilities would be for them to play whatever happens to be in-house at a particular venue. A shipmate of mine in Okinawa would make a beat-up old Everett vertical in the rec hall "come alive", bad tuning and sick voicing notwithstanding.
@@CharlesLangSamuel Thank You. That has been a longstanding deceptive practice that beguiles many who don't understand.
Wrap both, please. And don't forget to also put that white Shigeru Kawai as a gift...
Hahaha that is the way to do it! Why decide when you can have them all? ;)
@@MerriamPianos I play badly; I started FAR too late. I'd not kick ANY Kawai to the curb; I am fond of all of them. I have just a CL-40, but even my snobbish friends just about line up to play it.
High frequency hearing loss is a reality for some of us, so the difference in presence, amplitude, and interplay of upper harmonics beteeen these two pianos may not be heard by all. However, the general differences in tonal quality you describe are still spot-on, even though not all will hear the same detail.
Hi! Brent here! That is certainly the case for some players. High frequencies are usually the first to go in our hearing. I have certainly lost some high frequencies from years of touring in rock bands and not wearing hearing protection. I can relate to the sentiment for sure.
Thank you very much for your video! I had played a concert programme for my diploma at a music college and had to choose a grand piano for it, Steinway or Bechstein? And Bechstein was my choice!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here. You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! That is a very difficult choice, but I would have landed at the same place you did. ;)
@@MerriamPianos 👍
Valentina Lisitsa's recently 'adopted' 100 year old C. Bechstein is a pleasure to listen to. Of course, anything she plays on sounds great, but Steinways are so mainstream that their tone inevitably comes across a little pedestrian.
That sounds like a magical piano! I'll have to check it out. Those older restored C. Bechstein grands can be quite magnificent in my experiences. :)
I’m not a professional pianist, just an intermediate student but trebles on Steinway seem to be a bit of metallic voice compared to very well balanced Bechstein. Not only on this video, but almost everywhere here in UA-cam. Thanks Stu and Brent for creating and supporting!
There’s certainly a bell like clarity to the Beckstein treble end
I think you might be describing something I have noticed as well: when NY Steinways are voiced in their treble range for power they can sound a bit clangorous. My NY Steinway B has a beautiful treble, but it could certainly do with more projection. I just really don’t like what happens to the timbre when the hammers are hardened. On the other hand, I find many of the top European pianos produce a nice clear sound but are too bright for my taste. The mid-size piano that for me has the best balance of power, clarity, and sweetness in the treble range, at least of the pianos I have played, is the Shigeru Kawai SK-3, which seems to be a piano that Stu particularly likes as well. Another piano I loved when I heard it years ago was the Hamburg Steinway A, which I believe is exactly the same length as the SK-3. Stu has a recent video playing a Hamburg A (the John Lennon white piano). I wonder if Shigeru Kawai modeled the SK-3 on the Steinway A.
Brent here! You're very welcome! Thank you for supporting the channel. We appreciate you taking the time to check out all of the videos and share your thoughts. These are both great pianos, but I tend to agree with you. The balance and musicality of the C. Bechstein grands is hard to compete with.
Would love to see comparisons to fazioli and cfx.
Thanks for the suggestion! I will be happy to pass it along to our production team on your behalf. :)
Would love to see a similar comparison video between Yamaha and Kawai… 😊
Thanks for the suggestion! We will certainly do our best to tackle that for you in the near future. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks, appreciate it !
Also, it feels me with pride when one of rhe best piano tuners in Ottawa comes to tune my piano and plays it after every tuning. His reasons, “It is the only C. Bechstein I tune”. Ottawa is predominantly a Steinway town.
I wonder if he is the same tuner who pokes a bit of fun at my “little” Kawai grand and can boast that he tunes Angela Hewitt’s Yamaha when she’s not on tour with her Fazioli?
@@Quince828 My tuner, a genuine Steinway Certified Technician, is just about crazy in love with my "little" (as in down-market) Kawai. It just dials right in, and sounds truly amazing when he gets done with it.
@@Quince828 I don't think Andy is the boasting type, never did that with me in the last 1 year I know him, nor did he made fun of any other pianos.
It is hard not to spend at least a few minutes playing for sheer enjoyment on a C. Bechstein when you sit down at one - that is for sure. ;)
I wish I was one of those people that suffered from this terrible problem
Choosing between these two amazing pianos would be a nice problem to have - that is for sure!
Wonderful.. Talking about big names, I wonder why there isn't much about Bluthner on the channel.
Thank you! We are not Bluthner dealers, so it is a bit trickier to tackle reviews on their pianos. With that said, if one comes in on trade and the opportunity presents itself, we will do our best to tackle a review/comparison for you. :)
I would buy a piano from SH.Great vidoes😊
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I've never heard a Bechstein live, but I have Jorge Bolet's wonderful Liszt set, in which he used a Bechstein. On those Decca recordings, the bass seems a bit weak, in comparison to a Steinway or Bösendorfer. Is that just the "engineering" of the recordings, or do you think this is the case, in general? Thanks!
Hi! Brent here! I personally don't think that is the case at all. Bechstein pianos have wonderful bass section. I will say that certain microphones can roll off the low end bass frequencies and really augment the upper frequencies. So, it is possible that was the case. The best way to fully experience what a piano has to offer is in person of course. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks much for your answer; I was actually hoping that it was the fault of the recordings, considering the reputation and history of Bechstein. Those recordings are excellent in other ways: very clean, clear, and with a sense of the space. I was a violinist in a major orchestra for 50(!) years, and of course I got to hear countless fine, and some truly great, pianists, and of course American Steinways dominated, but Hamburg examples became my favorite. We had a Bösendorfer Imperial for a few years, given to us by a patron, but only a couple of people, (Victor Borge being one) ever played it in concert. (Contract obligations?) It had a very interesting sound, but I thought the Hamburg was still better!
I really love my Hoffman P126. Really have the feeling I am playing on a real piano.
Congratulations on your P126! The Hoffmann instruments (especially the P series pianos) are incredible! I know it will serve you well musically for many years to come. :)
While I am still only a piano student from the times I have heard the C Berchstein they sound incredible. Steinway are not my preference as I do find them to be dark and something strange that I could not put my finger on until you explained it. Honestly I prefer the CFX over Steinways.
Different pianos resonate with different players of course. With that said, it is hard to argue with being enchanted by the incredible tones of a C. Bechstein piano. :)
How much Steinway love is for the sticker on the fallboard and the snobbery value as opposed to the tone quality and action.
My New York Steinway B is a very fine piano. When freshly tuned, voiced, and regulated, it can stand comparison with any of the world’s other great pianos. It is certainly true that Steinways are sometimes purchased by wealthy people who don’t properly appreciate them as musical instruments - but, sadly, that is also true of Bösendorfers, Bechsteins, and the other great makes.
Brand reputation is certainly a factor for some piano shoppers. With that said, Steinway make excellent pianos. The reputation is merited through years of consistency and quality. There are pianos that I prefer more musically, but I would be more than happy to come home everyday to a Steinway grand in my living room. ;)
@@MerriamPianos One Steinway would be one that I would welcome in my home in an instant: the model o. Higher the opportunity to play one in a home out in California and I really really liked it. I've heard other model O's and some videos and they're really something.
@@499735 Yes, it is true. It breaks my heart to see these wonderful instruments sitting there being nothing but furniture. They need to be played. Even if badly like I play, they need to be played. They have a soul. Even the very cheapest mass-produced instrument has a soul.
I actually prefer the darker tone. Even though I also play Jazz & Latin music which one would instantly think "bright" or "Yamaha". I like to indulge myself in playing some smooth, calm, "Bill Evans" style harmonies without too many overtones getting in the way.
That is certainly fair! There are no firm rules musically when it comes to using a specific tonal profile for a specific genre of music. Thanks for tuning in! :)
“Have you ever wondered to yourself…”
Who else could you wonder to?
One of Stu's many talents is telepathy. Therefore, he has the ability to wonder to virtually any other person in the world if he ever chooses to.
Dear Stu, would you mind doing this side by side comparison with a modern Steinway Model B from the Hamburg factory ?
I think the specific Steinway Grand Piano you are using in this video does not properly represent the qualities which these Instruments deliver today.
That being said, still Team Bechstein.
Greetings from Seifhennersdorf !
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While we get New York Steinways come in on trade/purchase on a regular basis, Hamburg Steinways are much more rare in Canada. With that said, if we do happen to get a Hamburg Model B, I am quite confident our production team would be tackling video reviews/comparisons that feature it.
COOL!!!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Hi Stu, thanks for sharing! We own a bechstein studio A189 manufactured in 1997, the one without the C. and with futuristic fonts. That was before the academic series I believe. I dunno if u happen to know such pianos?
I think I generally resonate with what you said here, and the piano does sound similar. But one interesting thing I felt is that Chopin pieces are much harder to play on my piano versus a Steinway. On a Steinway the melody line almost effortlessly sings, whereas the same play can sound clumsy and boomy on my Bechstein. This does not happen when I play Beethoven or Mozart.
I am wondering, is this something you can relate to, or do u think it is something specific to this piano line, or is it something that tuning/voicing/regulation can change? We don’t see many bechsteins around here so cannot really compare.
Thanks in advance!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for watching and writing in! It sounds like you have a wonderful Bechstein grand at home! We have seen older Bechstein models (which had different scale designs) come through our showrooms on trade. In terms of your tonal question, I am quite confident that this is something that could be addressed and resolved with voicing by an experienced technician. If you have not had voicing completed yet, it may be worth trying. If you explain the exact scenario with your tech, they should be able to help improve things. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent! Appreciated the help.
Bechstein is like a Ferrari, it will take time to master it but after that it will respond to whatever you need, you are full responsible on how machine acts. Steinway is like a high-end Mercedes; it will always perform good even if it means you (as a driver) may loose some controls.
That is a very great analogy! The Bechstein Academy models are a bit more forgiving in that sense. The Concert series less so, but the musical advantages are immense once you learn how to steer them. :)
Maybe the comparison could have been between A192 vs. M. Arguably the best in both lines.
The L167 and Model M are the closer points of reference in terms of size, but I understand the sentiments. I love the A192 as well! Steinway Ms can be a little hit and miss to me personally (some have been great, some have been a bit underwhelming for the price point). In any case, these are all truly wonderful pianos of course!
Too much talking, not enough A/B comparison playing for my taste - I can use my own ears to figure out what's what - but the explanations are well articulated.
Thanks for tuning in! There are some community members here that are very fresh to the industry, so we try to be as thorough as possible.
Disco Stu
...likes disco music!
August Förster 😎🤷🏻♂️
August Forster make excellent pianos as well of course. Every piano manufacturer offers their own unique musical identity, so it really comes down to a matter of a player's personal taste.
Bechstein and Bösendorfer always
Two legendary piano brands of course! :)
Pianos sound so different from one another, even across the same model. What is super cool is how lucky we are with manufacturing being so good these days. Pianos from most respectable manufacturers are going to be amazing instruments. I’d say that a midrange piano can give a Steinway and Bechstein a run for their money any day of the week. Most of the differences will just be in instrument characteristics, but in terms of quality of the instrument (does it play well, sound good, and will it last) those midrange pianos will be as good as their more expensive counterparts, and in some cases even better. This does not take away the majesty of instruments like Steinway or Bechstein. Rather, it gives us all the opportunity to have instruments that are every bit as good as those lovely instruments that you are playng. And if you have the money to spend on a lovely “luxury piano,” it would be a sin not to do so. :)
Oh dear ....
The whole subject of tonal superiority within the piano world is deeply subjective of course. It is true that there can be some large disparity between different specimens of the same model. However, I find that it depends on the manufacturer. Bechstein invests a great deal of time, energy, and money into optimizing consistency. It is quite impressive to hear how consistent three A192 pianos in a row can sound like.
In terms of midrange pianos being just as good as their more expensive counterparts, it all comes down to preference and context of use. There are rock/pop recordings in which a small, old apartment upright is the sound that fits the best to capture a certain vibe/level of intimacy. With that said, the musical nuance, tonal/dynamic range, and expressivity that a piano like a C. Bechstein Concert series grand is capable of is hard to achieve from mid-range pianos in my opinion. They are immense and impressive instruments.
Yamaha for ever! 😅
Yamaha make wonderful pianos of course. It all comes down to preference. But, with that said, the C. Bechstein and Steinway lines are widely considered to be of a higher quality tier than Yamaha.
@@MerriamPianos thank you sir for your answer, I am a big fan of your channel. It was just a "boutade", since I have a Yamaha that I love, but of course would perhaps love better a Steinway or Bechstein! Merci beaucoup
i’ve played on both brands. they’re only going to be as good as their tuning, regulation, and voicing. take your pick. that’s the short story IMO.
They're both great piano lines. And you are certainly correct that the way a piano is voiced and prepped has a lot to do with the musical experience it provides.
you shouldn't be so anodyne.......
We try to keep things as objective as possible around here as there is so much subjectivity at play when it comes to rating piano brands/models. It is a deeply personal choice that comes down to a specific player's musical preferences.
@@MerriamPianos Stu is wonderfully diplomatic, but I find I am left with little doubt about his personal preferences. Great reviews. Keep ‘em coming!
"Even if you playing a pianissimo" - Plays mezzo forte.
Sometimes - you just gotta rock!