SOLD: Bluthner style VIII grand piano; fully restored by Bluthners in 2013

We're very fortunate to get this piano into stock. Bluthners of course are very experienced at restoring their own pianos and do a fine job. The touch is particularly superb. Highly recommended.

[@josephfleetwood3882]

I have an idea why there are no holes plugged in the keyboard on this piano, and I can think of two possibilities: 1. It's the original keyboard and it wasn't a patent action to begin with. Some Blüthners even of that era did not have patent actions, it was an option, like the aliquots. Blüthner himself preferred it but some pianists wanted the standard action so they offered both types in tandem. 2. It's a replacement action *and* keyboard, and the customer requested ivory. In 2013 it was still actually possible to buy ivory from so-called legal stock as long as it had certificates. In 2013 Bechstein created a furore when they put ivory on a new piano. The ivory at that time could still be bought legally in the UK. My feeling is that it's the latter situation and the piano was given new ivory at the time of restoration, at the customers request. This option added about £3000 to the price of restoration so I heard through a trade contact. Of course, the practice is completely banned now. The piano does sound rather beautiful.

[@stevenvanstadenvanstaden4317]

Hearing Marcus play the extract from Rachmaninoff's second concerto slow movement on this Bluthner reminded me of what the composer said when he was forced to flee his homeland: that he managed to take with him only the two things dearest to him, his wife and his Bluthner. A lovely singing piano piano with an interesting action in this day of uniformity.

[@RobertsPianos]

Very nice illustration of a great composer's appreciation for Bluthner, thank you for sharing Steven! Evan R