Square or Forte?

[MickyD]

I've suddenly remembered that back in the 80s I owned an LP issued by the independent label Swinsty. It was a recital by Alan Cuckston of music played in the Bronte household, and much of it was played on a cabinet piano by John Waite made in 1825. Such a strange sound, the notes practically "dripped" away, which might have been due to bad tuning! Nonetheless it was a fascinating and evocative sound and I'd love to get hold of it on CD. What was a cabinet piano exactly - can anyone enlighten me?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just before Christmas, I was lucky enough to be staying at a stately home in the Lake District, where I was offered the opportunity to play on a Clementi square piano. It was more responsive than I expected, but there was no getting away from the fact that the Bluthner grand in the same room was superior in every way (including for Clementi's own music).

[doversoul1]

but there was no getting away from the fact that the Bluthner grand in the same room was superior in every way (including for Clementi's own music).

I wonder if you’ve just set the cat amongst the pigeons.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I wonder if you’ve just set the cat amongst the pigeons.

You mean I should expect the usual arguments: "... Clementi composed his 6 Sonatinas specifically for his square piano. He knew was he was doing..." etc.

Heard 'em all before.

Clementi was a hard-nosed businessman. He certainly knew what he was doing.

[Bryn]

You mean I should expect the usual arguments: "... Clementi composed his 6 Sonatinas specifically for his square piano. He knew was he was doing..." etc.

Heard 'em all before.

Clementi was a hard-nosed businessman. He certainly knew what he was doing.

Of course you would know far better than Clementi what he was seeking to achieve. There is also the matter of playing technique to be considered. Those used to modern iron framed pianofortes might well have less facility for playing instruments from the composer's time well. There again, you may be so used to the more even tone of a modern piano that you have problems relating to the different timbres found throughout the range of an old square piano, (something Clementi would have been well aware of when composing his sonatinas). Still, if it make you happy ... .

[verismissimo]

I should have mentioned earlier the wonderful set of Haydn recordings by Christine Schornsheim, where she uses through the cycle:

Double manual harpsichord by Dowd and Nagel, Paris 1976
Clavichord by Zander, Cologne 1999
Double manual harpsichord by Kirckman, London 1777
Fortepiano by Dulcken, Munich 1793
Fortepiano by Broadwood, London 1804

No squares, unfortunately, but highly recommendable.

[Bryn]

I should have mentioned earlier the wonderful set of Haydn recordings by Christine Schornsheim, where she uses through the cycle:

Double manual harpsichord by Dowd and Nagel, Paris 1976
Clavichord by Zander, Cologne 1999
Double manual harpsichord by Kirckman, London 1777
Fortepiano by Dulcken, Munich 1793
Fortepiano by Broadwood, London 1804

No squares, unfortunately, but highly recommendable.

Not with the intention of detracting for one moment from Schornsheim's fine survey, may I also put in a word for the Naxos Blu-ray audio Hadyn survey by Tom Beghin. That does include a square piano in a couple of its programmes, a copy by Chris Maene of a 1788 Ignaz Kober instrument. Almost worth investing in a decent Bu-ray player just to hear that survey. A superb complement to the Schonsheim.

[verismissimo]

Don't do Blu-Ray yet, Bryn. Will join 21st century in due course. :)

[verismissimo]

Peter Katin's Schubert Impromptus on his 1832 Clementi lobbed in yesterday. Such joy. My first CD with square piano!

[Pianorak]

Peter Katin's Schubert Impromptus on his 1832 Clementi lobbed in yesterday. Such joy. My first CD with square piano!

Mine arrived this morning together with the Clementi Sonatas. The Field Nocturnes arrived yesterday. Square Piano Day!

[MickyD]

Happy listening from this old square.

[Peter Katin]

Peter Katin's Schubert Impromptus on his 1832 Clementi lobbed in yesterday. Such joy. My first CD with square piano!

Happy listening!

[ardcarp]

four squares

Joanna Leach currently owns 3 square painos, a Stodart, a Clementi and a Collard. Quite interestingly they span the development of the square from the very spinet-like Stodart (all wood, tiny hammers) to the Clementi (some bracing with iron bars, generally bigger and tougher...bigger compass too). I don't think the square lies anywhere in the spectrum of piano evolution; it was a sort of blind alley. They were only really made as domestic instruments and I don't think were indended at all for public recitals.

Joanna has also recorded some Haydn (Sonatas and a few other things) AthCD2 and AthCD22

email: athene@athenerecords.com

[Pianorak]

"I have a fine restored Broadwood of 1790"

Oooh, verismissimo, I am SO envious, what a lovely thing to possess! It's been my dream to get hold of one whenever I have the cash or indeed the space.

http://www.friendsofsquarepianos.co.uk/ Tempting or tempting?

[Peter Katin]

They were only really made as domestic instruments and I don't think were indended at all for public recitals.

They weren't, really, but my introduction to them by Joanna Leach was almost over the top in its enthusiasm. The instrument was, as you say, intended for domestic use - there was one at Nohant which Chopin liked to use when composing. I'd say they were more than a "blind alley" but then one has to consider the extra keys necessary for a greater range - if extra notes were to be added, the width and depth would be accordingly increased and they became far too bulky.