List of Keyboards
Grand Piano by Graf, C
Inscription: CONRAD GRAF IN WIEN Wieden n. 542
Compass: 6,5 octaves (CC-f'''')
Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in bone
Pedals: 6: controlling keyboard shift, bassoon, damper, moderator, double moderator, janissary-drum, 3 bells
Dimensions: L 242 cm / W 123 cm
Case: mahogany with gild ornaments
Serial number: 147
Chris Maene Collection number: CM 21 144
Condition: unrestored
Location: 2 - Museum "Chris Maene Collection" Ruiselede
Grand Piano by Graf, C
Inscription: CONRAD GRAF, Kaisel: Kön : Hof-Fortepianomacher WIEN, nachst der Carls-Kirche im Mondschein No 102
Compass: 6,5 octaves (CC-g'''')
Keyboard: naturals in bone, sharps in ebony
Pedals: 5: controlling keyboard shift, bassoon, moderator, dampers and janissary-drum, 3 bells
Dimensions: L 245 cm / W 127 cm
Case: cherry
Serial number: 1826
Chris Maene Collection number: CM 21 263
Condition: restored to concert level
Location: 4 - Museum storage space Ruiselede
Grand Piano by Graf, C
Conrad Graf (1782–1851) is widely regarded as the greatest and most successful Viennese fortepiano maker of the first half of the nineteenth century. His fortepianos were characterized by a robust, entirely wooden construction, resulting in a warm, resonant, and poetic tone. His instruments represented the pinnacle of Viennese Romantic piano building, and his designs served as a model for many other Viennese makers.
Nearly every major performer of the era played on his instruments, including Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Clara and Robert Schumann, Brahms, and many others. In 1824, Graf was awarded the prestigious title of Kaiserlich-Königlicher Hof-Fortepianomacher (Imperial and Royal Court Fortepiano Maker).
To meet the growing demand for his fortepianos, he purchased the Mondscheinhaus in Vienna in 1826, where he expanded production to approximately 100 instruments per year. In 1835, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Piano Building at the Austrian Gewerb-Produkten-Ausstellung (Industrial Products Exhibition).
Technical data:
Inscription: CONRAD GRAF, Kaisel: Kön : Hof-Fortepianomacher WIEN, nachst der Carls-Kirche im Mondschein No 102
Compass: 6,5 octaves (CC-g'''')
Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony
Pedals: 4: keyboard shift - moderator - double moderator - dampers
Dimensions: L 245 cm / W 127 cm
Case: cherry
Serial number: 2006
Literature: The Colt Clavier Collection
Chris Maene Collection number: CM 21 360
Condition: restored to concert level, Chris Maene workshop 2019
Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede
Chris Maene Coll
Grand Piano by Graf, C
This particular instrument is reputed to have belonged to a distinguished family of Viennese music patrons, the Sonnleithners, who would have had the best the builder could offer. It is in almost original condition, with all but a few of its original strings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RAkKb5HI_c&list=PLy8ZuBE1RYHFM-Nl-04vE-An8Rk7mfo5t
