CHRIS MAENE GRAND, RUISELEDE, 2016

Replica Johann Andreas Stein, Augsburg, 1786, Museum of Musical Instruments (MIM) Brussels

 

From the 1780’s, Johann Andreas Stein largely determined the success of the piano in Germany and Vienna. He made elegant and slimline instruments, mostly finished in cherry wood. His Prell action (without backchecks for the hammers) was simple and functional. The hammer shanks hinged between wooden capstans and the small hammer heads only had 1 or 2 layers of thin leather. The keyboard was extremely light and had a touch-depth of only 4 to 5 mm. All of this resulted in a transparent sound that sounded articulately over the 5 octaves. The tone was clear and full of overtones. The use of knee levers to lift the dampers, was revolutionary at the time.

 

Technical data:

• Inscription: Chris Maene, Instrumentenmaker, Ruiselede, België
• Compass: FF-f'''
• Keyboard: naturals in ebony, sharps in bone tops
• Pedals: knee lever - damping; hand stop
• Dimensions: L 216 cm / W 97 cm
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 61 502
• Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede