Bechstein description and history
The very first Bechstein pianos were built by the piano craftsman Carl Bechstein in the mid 19th century with the aim to correspond to the demands placed by the piano virtuosi at the time. This took place during the Romantic period when the pianists strived to attain more expressional freedom and needed stronger dynamic possibilities of the instrument.
Franz Liszt was one of the most important endorsers and who contributed to the success of the Bechstein, as well as for the other new-comers Steinway and Blüthner. Bechstein not only became one of the industry leaders for concert pianos at the time but also became the choice for royalties, aristocracies and embassies with specific success in London where several showrooms were built. Bechstein manufacturers were so proud of this fact that they displayed a list of their royal clients on the soundboard of the pianos which became a custom for many years.
Until World War I, the Bechstein continued its success, especially in Great Britain and Russia. Unfortunately, due to growing anti-German sentiment, the Bechstein brand suffered badly when their British property with showrooms were seized as "enemy property" and confiscated. Despite this setback, Bechstein soon once again became one of the leading piano makers thanks to several technical innovations and inventions of new materials and tools. In the 1930's, Bechstein continued their successful innovation work by producing one of the first electro-acoustic pianos, the Neo-Bechstein, which was using electro-magnetic pick-ups.
The next major setback took place during World War II when allied bombing raids destroyed the Bechstein piano factory in Berlin, along with the firm's stores of valuable wood, including the precious Alpine spruce used to make soundboards. The war also cost the company many of its experienced craftsmen. Although Bechstein remained manufacturing pianos of the finest quality, it was first since the fall of the Berlin Wall that Bechstein increased the production to a larger scale.
Bechstein pianos are usually distinguished by a strong clear sound with a rich colour, very different from their main competitor Steinway. All Bechstein pianos use Abel or Renner hammers and solid European spruce soundboards. The pianos are manufactured in Germany. Some components may originate in the Czech Republic.
Over the years, many prominent pianists have appreciated the Bechstein, among these Liszt, Bülow, Debussy, Scriabin, Richter, Lipatti, Fischer and Schnabel. Also modern pop artists have favoured the Bechstein, such as The Beatles, Queen and Elton John.
