List of Keyboards
Grand Piano by Pleyel, I
Although Erard was the biggest piano manufacturer in Paris, it were the instruments of Ignace Pleyel that had the preference of Frédéric Chopin.
To compete with the concert grands from Erard, Ignace Pleyel built two concert grands with seven octaves in December 1842. The oldest remaining instrument is the piano with number 9872, dated from 1843. This instrument is classified as 'Monument Historique' in France.
In 2007 Chris Maene was able to buy an identical instrument, but finished as an Art Case, for the Chris Maene Collection. The purchased instrument has the number 9861, also dating from 1843.
Technical data:
Inscription: Ignace PLEYEL & Compie
Compass: 7 octaves (AAA-a'''')
Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony
Pedals: 2: controlling keyboard shift, damping
Dimensions: L 250 cm / W 136 cm
Case: rosewood Art-Case
Serial number: 9861
Chris Maene Collection number: CM 43 230
Condition: restored to concert level, Chris Maene workshop, Ruiselede 2020
Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede
