Today we want to bring you our latest ranking of concert pianos. But this time according to the opinions of ordinary 😉 music and piano lovers. Are you curious how our choices differ from, the choices of, for example, professional pianists? Read on to find out the results of our poll for your favorite concert piano.
The ranking process
The whole process of creating this ranking was fascinating. We started by asking our observers on social media about their favorite concert pianos. Many of you shared your favorite piano brands and models, which was incredibly inspiring. We collected them all in a poll on our Instagram @klaviano.pianos. And further on, it’s your choices.
Results of the poll for favorite concert piano
Here’s a list of the best concert pianos according to music and piano lovers. Let’s start from the end:
Place 7 – C. Bechstein D 282
The 282 cm (9’3″) long piano, developed after intensive discussions with internationally renowned pianists. The Federal Institute of Applied Physics conducted tests according to which, the sound of the concert piano C. Bechstein D 282 is exceptionally brilliant and powerful.
Place 6 – Fazioli F308
The longest piano (10’1″) in this listing, designed primarily for modern, large and spacious concert halls. It owes its immense power and richness of sound to the increased string length in the bass section. In addition, it is equipped with Fazioli‘s invention – a fourth pedal.
Place 5 – Kawai SK-EX
The most advanced Kawai concert grand piano with a length of 278 cm (9’1″) is the flagship model of the Shigeru Kawai concert series. The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX is a highly exclusive musical instrument. With fewer than 20 copies of this model being made each year.
Place 4 – Bosendorfer 290 Imperial
The Bosendorfer Imperial concert piano (290 cm / 9’6″ long) has additional keys/bass strings. In total, it has as many as 97 keys (8 full octaves) instead of the standard 88. Some works by Busoni, Bartók or Ravel can only be accurately performed on such a piano. With these extra strings, the pianist can enjoy the orchestral sound of the piano.
Ready for the top three? Here it is:
Place 3 – Yamaha CFX
Yamaha’s flagship concert grand piano model CFX is 275 cm (9′) long. Now an all-new CFX model is being produced, with an improved Unibody concept. The Unibody concept is the blurring of the distance between the artist’s vision of the performance of a piece and the listeners’ perception of the artist’s expression. The perfect harmony of pianist and piano.
Place 2 – Steingraeber E-272
Steingraeber was the only manufacturer to reduce the surface area of the soundboard. He restored its “classical relationship” with the violin strings. Thus, the strings in the E-272 (8’11”) have 27% less wood mass to set into motion. According to Le Monde de la Musique (French monthly music magazine). “…. today it would be difficult to find a better instrument for interpreting Bach, Mozart and Beethoven”.
Place 1 – Steinway D-274
The piano most often chosen by the world’s greatest pianists. At the last Chopin Competition (in 2021), out of 87 participants, as many as 64 chose a Steinway piano for their competition performances. Lang Lang, Daniel Barenboim and Christoph Eschenbach are just three of more than 2,500 Steinway pianists around the world who point to the Steinway Model D (9′) concert grand piano as their first choice.
Comparison with the ranking of the 3 most popular concert pianos among pianists
If we compare this ranking to an earlier one we conducted among professional and amateur pianists, we can see some interesting differences. Professionals’ choices are often based on subtle nuances and stage experience. While amateurs focus more on the sound and emotion that a particular piano evokes.
In the earlier list (selection of pianists) as well as in this one, the first place is occupied by Steinway D-274. Which proves its great popularity among both professionals and amateurs. Do you also belong to the Steinway fan club 😉
Summary
The choice of a concert grand piano depends on many factors, including the pianist’s level of expertise, the type of repertoire performed or the sound effect he or she cares about. Nevertheless, whether you are a professional or a simple amateur, it is important to choose an instrument that inspires you to make music and meets your sound expectations.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey and shared their favorite pianos! Do you have any other of your favorite concert pianos that you think deserve to be included in such a list? Be sure to write about them in the comments, let other pianists know about their qualities.