Talk:Fazioli
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Shouldn't the topic "largest piano" have a separate article? There are at least 3-4 piano makers that would fall into this category. ctm
Good point. The Boesendorfer Imperial is 290 cm by 168 cm, with 97 keys. The Fazioli is 308 cm by 156 cm, with 88 keys. So which one is "bigger"? Should we go by weight? Volume? Any suggestions on how to resolve this? 123jascha 21:31, 16 March 2007 (UTC)
I actually don't see why Wikipedia should have a 'largest' piano title ... this seems more like a Guinness book of records topic; the 97 keys on the Boesendorfer are interesting -- I heard Oscar Peterson play a solo on just the bottom twelve (b&w color reversed) keys on his Imperial, and it just sounded like rumbling (but very jazzy and rhythmic rumbling) ... there is a reason for stopping at low A . I've only heard the Fazioli 308 samples on the GEM keyboard, and I have to say that the tone was not to my liking. It might be different in a concert hall (which is the only place you could put a 10 foot grand), but in the case of pianos, I don't think 'Bigger' necessarily means 'Better'
On the 'advertisement' orientation of this entry, I think there is perhaps some truth, but Fazioli truly is one of the great piano makers, and more importantly, a new and highly innovative maker (originally just a separate room in a furniture factory owned by the Fazioli's) ... certainly one of the most innovative (along with IMHO Kawai) in rethinking every component of a traditional (e.g., Steinway circa end of 19th century) grand piano. They generally get high marks for having the best and most advanced action of any piano (e.g., they use adjustable magnets instead of weights in the keys for a faster, lighter, more controllable touch). On the other hand, some don't like the tone as well as other pianos (this often divides along Asian, American and European lines, where Asians like the bright sound e.g., of Yamaha; Europeans like a strong fundamental, like heard with Fazioli, Bosendorfer, August Forster; and Americans like a rich complex sound like Steinway)
I've seen global rankings of Best pianos, and I think almost universally, Boesendorfer is number one, followed by Steingraeber, Fazioli, Bechstein, August Forster or Steinway in no particular order... the big frustration being that a Steinway requires a day or two of technician time to prepare it (then it sounds and plays well) whereas the other first tier pianos seem to work optimally straight from the factory. These rankings should probably be added to the statement from the Economist (which is not known for its stable of concert pianists)
Chris Westland 4 May 2007
