A piano with Old World character and honey dipped resonance.
Pat Frederick of the Frederick Collection of Keyboard instruments, agreed that my Haddorff has something very special, and she proceeded to share the news of her latest additions: a 1902 Chickering, and Pleyel. These pianos, among other treasures, are living, breathing instruments that are played by fine musicians showcasing the 18th and 19th Century keyboard repertoire. Professionals, amateurs, and just members of the general public travel to Ashburnham, MA to sample a great instrument collection, do research, and enjoy kinship with those who want to preserve the heritage of pianos and harpsichords, repositories of musical tradition spanning centuries.
Listen to performances on these fine, vintage pianos at the website:
http://www.frederickcollection.org/
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But Back to “Haddy,” the newest member of my piano family:
This piano resonates like there’s no tomorrow, and of two students who sampled it, neither one could be easily nudged back to the Steinway.
The seven-year old kept insisting it was now her “favorite” piano, and the oldest of my adult students, couldn’t fathom how the magnificent tone and incredibly smooth feel of the instrument came bundled together.
This is a piano that plays itself if you allow it.. a floating feeling that does not require a huge effort.
Pat Frederick gave me “Honey” as a good description of the tone.. so I borrowed it. Hopefully, she won’t mind.
