VIDEO: A Classical Life: Showroom Conversation with Musician and Host Zsolt Bognár
“It was that moment that I said this is what I want to do.”
“Pianist, host, and author Zsolt Bognár holds a meteoric, multi-dimensional career that re-defines what it means to be a musician in the 21st century. Known to many around the globe in musical and cultural circles, Mr. Bognár is host of the award-winning film series Living the Classical Life. As concert pianist, he frequently gives inspiring performances in North America, Europe, and Asia.” Here at Chupp’s Piano Service, we know Zsolt as both a client and as a friend. We are greatly honored to have sat down with him to discuss his start in music, what has inspired him along his journey, and the themes that he has found interwoven between musicians and their art.…
IN THE NEWS: Chupp’s Pianos provides Steinway Concert Grand to the Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex in Joplin, MO.
The Joplin Globe Highlights the Piano Restoration Work of Chupp’s Piano Service, Inc.
In 1950, the Cheyenne Civic Music Association purchased Steinway & Sons Model D #329504. Serving as the primary concert instrument of the Cheyenne Civic Center, the piano eventually grew to need a full restoration. Due to time-sensitive demands, the association contacted Chupp’s Piano Service and traded in #329504 toward the purchase of another vintage instrument. Our team of piano technicians and restoration experts completed an extensive, painstaking restoration of this New York built concert grand- and this historic piano is now prepared to serve its intended purpose once again – this time at the Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex in Joplin, MO.…
“I very much appreciated their ‘no pressure’ approach” – Pianist Selects Steinway Model B from Chupp’s Piano Service
Testimonial - "Dennis and Tim are honest, open, and meticulous professionals, and I'll certainly consider them for any future pianos needs."
Working with customers and helping them select the piano that is right for them is always one of the most exciting parts of a workday! We were recently fortunate enough to work with John and help him select a Steinway & Sons Model B for his personal use. We always strive to provide our clients with as much time as they need in our showroom in order for them to make an informed decision on their piano preferences. He was kind enough to send in a testimonial letter about the piano and his experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. We wish him many happy years of musical enjoyment!
When History is Played Personal – A Few Things to Consider When Restoring The Family Piano
Much has changed since Bartolomeo Cristofori's invention, known today as the piano, first rang out its first notes. Well over 300 history-filled years have passed since then. However, one thing has not. The power of music has brought families together over, and over again. The piano has found its way into the center of the musical world, not just professionally, but in the personal lives of countless throughout the world. Eight-eight (on average) keys. An unlimited number of memories. It is no wonder that many have begun to consider what will become of their family's heirloom piano. In this article, we wish to present realistic options regarding the repair/restoration of the family piano.
“We are enjoying our new piano every day.” – Family Purchases Steinway Model B from Chupp’s Piano Service
Testimonial - "Being able to play such a wide variety of examples (5) of the specific model we preferred to purchase gave us additional confidence in our decision."
Working with customers and helping them select the piano that is right for them is always one of the most exciting parts of a workday! This family was seeking to purchase a Steinway & Sons Model B for their son. Our team worked with the family in selecting a Model B out of a broad selection of instruments that varied in age and characteristics. They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. We wish them many happy years of musical enjoyment!
“Everything was just as described – the regulation, the pristine quality of all parts, the finish of the exterior.” – Chupp’s Pianos Testimonial
Testimonial - "I never anticipated that I would actually purchase a grand piano without having played it in person first."
We are always excited to assist our customers in finding the piano that fits their wants and needs the best. Often, this includes the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local region. The team here at Chupp's Pianos was recently fortunate enough to be able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Grand Piano to one of these national customers. We worked with them via email, phone, and video call to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service. We wish them many years of musical enjoyment!
Testimonial: “It is my dream piano come true.”
"The fit and finish of the case makes the 80 year old piano look like it was freshly minted from the factory..."
In the business of restoring and selling pianos, recommendations and reviews from our friends and clients is always a great encouragement. One of the things that we assist with quite often, is the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local Northern Indiana region. The team here at Chupp's Piano Service was recently able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Grand Piano to one of these customers. We worked with Randall via email and phone to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! Randall was kind enough to send in a letter about the piano and his experience working with Chupp's Pianos.
The Hamburg Steinway Factory – A Historic Report of Differences – ft. Excerpts from a Rare Report by William T. Steinway
Posted on March 29, 2020
at 9:18 pm
by Benjamin Rogers /
Piano History, Restoration, Steinway Pianos
An Historic Glimpse Into the 70's Hamburg Steinway Factory
One of the most unique parts of the Steinway story, is the tail of two factories. Although with a name like Steinway (originally Steinweg), one could not be blamed for initially thinking that Steinway & Sons is a German company, transplanted to the United States. In fact, that is almost reversed. Founded in 1853 in the city of New York,Steinway & Sons was the brainchild of German immigrant Henry E. Steinway. Launching his new piano business into one of the most cutthroat and competitive businesses of his day, Henry and his offspring would quickly grow the company into one of the powerhouses of modern day music. As demand increased in the United States, demand increased overseas as well. The decision was made to open a factory overseas and the Steinway name returned to Germany - the City of Hamburg, to be exact. In 1880, C.F. Theodore and William Steinway founded the Hamburg Steinway Factory. A wholly owned venture, this new factory allowed them to avoid high import tariffs and allowed for easier distribution of their newly built pianos throughout the European market. Today, the Hamburg division continues to serve this purpose and most of the countries outside of North America are supplied with instruments crafted in Hamburg. Here in the United States, Hamburg Steinway pianos are often viewed as more 'exotic' and are known to posses a different tonal quality when compared to their New York factory brethren.
Set A Virtual Piano Selection Appointment! – Chupp’s Piano Service Showroom
FIND YOUR DREAM PIANO – FROM YOUR COUCH!
During this unprecedented time, we are still able to assist you in your search for your dream piano! Via phone, Facetime, Skype or email, a member of the Chupp’s Pianos team can take you on a virtual journey through our showroom selection of premium rebuilt Steinway & Sons and new Kawai pianos. Interested? Call us at 888-831-5820 or connect with us via our contact form below.…
“Chupp’s (Pianos) offers a winning value proposition that few can match.” – Testimonial
Testimonial - Long-Distance Client Finds Their Dream Steinway
One of the things that we assist with quite often, is the selection of a piano by a client who lives well outside of our local region. The team here at Chupp's Pianos was recently fortunate enough to be able to provide a beautiful Steinway & Sons Model B Grand Piano to one of these customers. We worked with them via email and phone to ensure they received an instrument that met their expectations. Our network of expert piano delivery specialists allows us to deliver across the entire country - and even overseas! They were kind enough to send in a testimonial about the piano and their experience working with Chupp's Piano Service.
Why Should I Buy A Bigger Grand Piano & Other Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you consider springing for a larger piano? What do the pedals on a Steinway piano do? What about a 'free' upright piano? In today’s blog post, we cover a few of the piano-related questions we receive here at Chupp’s Piano Service.
What Is The Benefit of a Large Grand Piano?
Besides the amazing focal point that a large grand piano can give any room, there are a number of benefits that come with the purchase and use of a large grand piano over their smaller cousins. The first benefit you may notice when you begin to play is the superior level of control many large concert grands provide. Much of this can be traced back to the longer key sticks. What is a piano keystick? Traditionally crafted from a premium pine or spruce, the long wooden keys are capped with a keytop. (It is important to note that a piano key extends in length far beyond the small part at the front that is touched by the pianist.) Pianos of yesteryear boasted keytops of genuine ivory and ebony. Today, the most common materials are high-grade plastics and polymers. These materials are more environmentally friendly and less prone to cracking or yellowing. The larger key bed and action cavity space in a concert grand gives enough room for the length of the keys to be extended to their optimum length. The longer piano keys allow for greater precision and control over each note.
A Political Note… Steinway Pianos in the White House
White House Steinways - Since 1903
1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington, D.C. The home of the President of the United States... and multiple pianos? Like other countries, music is rooted in American history, so it is no wonder that pianos of various makers have found their way into one of the world's most well known political residences. Since 1903, the showpiece grand piano in the White House has been a Steinway Model D. Read on for more!The Current Piano - Steinway #300000
Steinway & Sons recognized the honor, prestige, and yes, marketing value that came with having their instrument reside in the home of the President of the United States. The most well-known piano in the White House is a 1938 Steinway & Sons Art Case Model D Concert Grand #300000 veneered in mahogany. Resting on legs resembling American Bald Eagles, this piano features motifs depicting traditional American music.
Why Are My Piano Keys Sticking & Other Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my piano keys sticking? Can I move my piano myself? Why is refinishing my piano so expensive? In today’s blog post, we cover a few of the piano-related questions we receive here at Chupp’s Piano Service.
Why Are My Piano Keys Sticking?
Behind each ivory, ebony or plastic topped key stick resides almost every moving part in a piano. All of these moving parts creates the potential for annoying sticking and binding, causing notes not to function. There are a number of reasons this may occur and can usually be quickly diagnosed by a qualified piano technician. Here are a few of the most common reasons.
- Debris. The gaps between the keysticks allow for small debris to fall between them. Over time, this can cause keys to bind together. Each key pivots on metal pins. If the rail pins become dirty or filled with debris, this can cause keys to feel sluggish. With a grand piano, pencils and similar items can often fall between strings and into the piano's action. (This author has dealt with that a time or two on his personal piano...) The fix for this usually involves removing the action stack or keys to get to the issue, removing any junk and thoroughly cleaning the action. If possible, keep small items stored away from where they could accidentally fall into the piano's action cavity or between the key sticks.
- Humidity swings can cause wooden key sticks and action parts to expand and shrink, causing parts to bind. We highly recommend that you take steps to control the humidity levels within and around your piano. The best way to do so is to invest in either a whole room or whole house humidification control system. As a nice side benefit, this will also greatly increase the comfort level of your home. We also recommend the consideration of a Dampp Chaser Piano Life Saver System installed directly onto the piano. The combination of these steps will ensure that you receive the longest service and most enjoyment out of your musical instrument.
- Broken parts. There is a chance there may be broken action parts which are keeping your piano from functioning. Lost screws, flattened knuckles, broken wippens. These are just a few of the issues that may be causing your piano keys to jam or not return properly. Again, this would be an issue for your piano technician to diagnose and repair.
New York Steinways vs. Hamburg Steinways – a Tail of Two Factories
Steinway & Sons New York and Hamburg | What's the Difference?
Question: “What's the difference between Steinway pianos built at the company's New York Factory and their Hamburg Factory?"
An American Company
While Charles Dicken's novel A Tale of Two Cities dealt with the cities of Paris and London, this comparison deals with New York and Hamburg. Specifically, their shared role as the home for Steinway & Sons pianos. This unusual situation has resulted in key differences between the American and European variants of these legendary musical instruments.
Contrary to the belief of some, Steinway & Sons is not a European company and have always been an American company first and foremost. Founded by German immigrant Henry E. Steinway, the New York-based company grew quickly from its modest founding in 1853 to quickly become the leading piano maker in North America. This led to increased demand for their products in both the United States and around the world. As this demand for pianos grew, the decision was made to open a factory overseas and the Steinway name returned to Germany - the City of Hamburg, to be exact.
