Music Instruments

The Story of the Piano

 

October 30, 2015

From the Romantic Era to the classic movies of the 20th century, from church choirs to orchestras, from luxury hotels to households, the Piano has been going places since the 18th century. This grand instrument has travelled down the years, won many hearts and enjoyed the privilege of being the most popular instrument of all time. 

 

It is one of the most familiar music instruments. With a neatly polished wooden body, at times decorated with exquisite carvings and artwork, a rich and powerful sound; the piano is a majestic instrument that is worthy of admiration.

Since the seventeenth century, the piano has played a social role in royal and aristocratic families, operas, orchestras, church choirs and households.  The piano was the invention of the Italian master craftsman Bartolomeo Cristofori. He was instrumental in designing the piano for the Prince of Florence, Ferdinando de' Medici around 1700. Even till date the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city exhibits the oldest pianoforte which was made by Cristofori in 1720.

The piano was an expensive item in the 18th and 19th century which could be owned only by those belonging to royal families, aristocrats and the elite. But that began to change in the later half of the 19th century. By the end of the 19th century, the piano began to enter into many American households.

Fascinating facts have been written about the piano. It is said that in the late 19th century an American household was incomplete without a piano. An American lady's education was considered to be incomplete if she didn't know to play the piano. The piano became an essential member of American households. Family dinners and celebrations were centered around the piano. The romantic charm of the piano was instrumental in unfolding many love stories. 

The demand for pianos in American households grew tremendously between the period from 1870 to 1930. Piano manufacturers took this demand into their stride and started marketing the piano on large scale. There was a boom in the U.S piano industry. 

Until the 1930's, the U.S was the leader in manufacturing pianos. But  after World War II, piano manufacturing began to spread out far and wide outside the U.S. By the early 1960's Japan had taken over the piano manufacturing business on a large scale. Over the years the piano gained popularity worldwide.

Today, even in India, the piano finds a place in churches, luxury hotels, social clubs and households. Says Bernadette Vaz, education co-ordinator at a popular international school in South Mumbai " My mother would play the piano and I was inspired by her to learn the instrument. Today, I own two pianos. I remember when we shifted to a one bedroom apartment in South Mumbai years ago, the first thing I made place for in my small house was the piano. For me, playing the piano is like eating food."

Pavana Anchees, a senior educationist by profession also shares a great passion for the piano. She is a proud owner of a B Steiner upright piano which she purchased five years ago. If you happen to visit her home at Kharghar, the first thing you will notice is the beautiful black piano which occupies a prominent place in the living room. Her daughter Natasha who is a media professional also plays the instrument and so do other members of the family. 

One of India's leading music stores, Furtados who claim to be India's piano experts, market their piano range saying that "even when not in use a piano can put up quite a show." This holds good for many luxury hotels, luxury retail malls and social clubs which are purchasing the instrument to class up their interior décor and add a sophisticated look to their lounges and lobbies.

The Taj Hotel at Gateway of India, the Palladium Hotel at Lower Parel are among some of the luxury hotels in Mumbai city, which exhibit a piano in their hotels. If you happen to visit the Palladium mall in the evenings, the music on the piano peps up the ambience of the sophisticated luxury retail mall. The Taj Hotel at Gateway of India also exhibits a piano at the sea lounge where guests enjoy an evening of piano music along with a spectacular view of the Arabian sea.

So much is the hype about this instrument that it has been featured in quite a number of movies too. Classic movies such as Amadeus(1984-on the lives of Mozart and Antonio Salieri), Great Balls of Fire (1989-on the life of pianist Jerry Lee Lewis), Impromptu (1991- starring Hugh Grant who plays the role of music composer Frederic Chopin), Ray (2004- on the life of pianist and jazz artist Ray Charles ) have showcased the piano with great focus on how the instrument shaped the lives of many renowned musicians and music composers of different eras. Yet another film of 1998 which featured a remarkable piano duel scene was The Legend of 1900. The film is about the life of a musician called 1900 (played by actor Tim Roth). The scene in the film where American jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton (played by actor Clarence Williams III) challenges 1900 (Tim Roth) for a piano duel, is astounding. 

Even in India, audiences were introduced to the piano through the movies. Films such as Sangam (1964) featured popular star of the yesteryears Raj Kapoor who played the piano while singing a heartbreaking song dost dost na raha. Another hit song Dil ke jharoke mein tujko bithakar from the movie Brahmachari shows Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor playing the Grand piano on stage. Songs from the movie Waqt (1965) show actress Sadhna playing the piano at  family occasions.

Songwriters and music composers have used the piano to create many record breaking songs. One of the popular songs which comes to mind is the famous Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder duo playing the song Ebony and Ivory on the piano. Singer, songwriter and music composer Elton John played the Grand piano while singing Candle in the wind. Billy Joel's Piano Man was another song featuring the piano. Renowned Jazz and Blues artist Ray Charles and pop artist Stevie Wonder are two musicians who in spite of loosing their eyesight at a young age learnt to play the piano and composed many popular tunes on the piano.

When it comes to learning a music instrument, music amateurs are inclined in a big way to learn the piano. Steinway and Sons, the American based piano manufacturing company mentions on their website " the piano is an excellent first instrument. No other single instrument matches the piano for its broad application of musical concepts. The melody, rhythm and sense of harmony acquired with piano education pays off handsomely."

And just in case you thought that the piano is the most expensive music instrument, then think again. G. Joseph (professional name), a musician by profession and a member of the R C Church choir at Colaba, says " if you ever thought that you could not afford a piano because it is the costliest instrument, then you are mistaken. It's the wind instruments that are costlier and the double reed instruments that are the costliest." He further adds " it is always advisable to invest in the best piano that one can afford because this will ensure better quality of sound and enhance learning and playing skills." 
 

The hype associated with the piano is such that its relevance in social history, its classy look and its grandeur, its powerful yet melodious sound make it the most sought after music instrument by musicians and music lovers. The only drawback that one can think of is that the piano is an instrument which needs a permanent location. It is not easily movable or cannot be carried around by musicians on the go. But this small drawback does not cause any harm to the reputation that the piano has earned over the centuries. The piano is every pianist's pride, every non musicians envy and every amateur musician's dream instrument. Kudos to the piano for having won itself such a brilliant reputation. 

 

WHAT THE EXPERTS RECOMMEND

Furtados Music Showroom in Kalbadevi,Mumbai recommends the following pianos to suit different needs. The approximate starting pirice mentioned below is according to the Furtados piano collection catalogue dated September 2014. The store offers attractive investment offers. You can purchase a piano by making a down payment and EMI's starting from Rs 1878 upwards. All details mentioned pertain to acoustic pianos.

Steinway pianos: This is the choice of more than 90 percent of the greatest pianists worldwide.

Price Range : Upright piano starts 35 lakhs and above. Grand piano starts 71 lakhs and above.

Steinway designed Boston pianos: This piano is best suited for the professional or advanced student.

Price: Upright piano starts 15 lakhs and above . Grand piano starts at 27 lakhs and above

Steinway designed Essex Pianos: This piano is designed by Steinway and costs lesser than other Steinway designed pianos

Price: Upright piano starts at 5 lakhs and above.Grand piano starts at 17 lakhs upwards

B Steiner Pianos: These pianos have a classical feel and also a great sound.

Price: Upright pianos start 3 lakhs and above. Grand pianos start 12 lakhs and above.

Pearl River Pianos: This is a perfect piano for the serious student and it is also a space-saving piano with European styling.

Price: Upright piano 1.7 lakhs and above. Grand piano 6.5 lakhs and ubove

Ritmuller pianos: These are exquisite works of art and are rich and full of sound

Price: Upright piano starts 2.5 lakhs and above. Grand piano starts 6.9 lakhs and above.

Yamaha pianos: These pianos are an excellent combination of craftsmanship and technology, affordable and a pleasure to play on.

Price: Upright piano starts 2.8 lakhs and above. Grand piano starts 9.9 lakhs and above

POPULAR PIANO COMPANIES

Ritmuller Piano Company : German company founded in 1795. Became popular in Europe for their pianos which have a warm and rich tone commonly referred to as "Euro Sound".

Steinway and Sons: This is American based company which was founded by a German immigrant in Manhattan in 1853. The company claims that "each Steinway Grand piano takes nearly a  year to create. Nothing is hurried." 

Yamaha: This is a Japanese based company which began production of upright pianos in 1900. It was founded by Japanese Torakusu Yamaha

 Information sources and references for the above article:

1. www.steinwaypianos.com

2. Furtados music store, Dhobitalao, South Mumbai

3. wikepedia.org
4. http://www.ritmullerusa.com/

4. Inputs from pianists and piano owners in Mumbai city.