Joyce Maier <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Rodney Corkin wrote:
>
>>I've heard the Emperor and Hammerklavier played on a 6.5 octave Graff
>>instrument of 1824 (similar to the one owned by B) and I must say it is
>>more than suitable for these compositions
>
>Yes we shouldn't overlook that most probably Beethoven hardly played his
>Graf.

This instrument is rather battered also, but he certainly couldn't hear it.

Beethoven had a preference for instruments by Streicher as late as the
1820's.  He stated his dissatisfaction with both of his heavy English
actioned pianos - the Erard, and even the much vaunted Broadwood which,
he said, did not meet his expectations of it (despite his love of it as
a gift).  It is a myth that B wrote the Hammerklavier for the Broadwood,
he was already composing it before he knew he was to receive the English
piano.  Also the Broadwood's keyboard compass is not sufficient, being a
then conservative (by Viennese standards) 6 octaves.  But Streicher pianos
are few and far between these days, whereas there are quite a few Grafs
still around, which are most beautiful sounding instruments.  The Graf is
the one piano I would choose for Beethoven, I no-longer even consider
modern pianos.

Rod