Chappells Piano Hall

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 19 Apr 2008, 17:06

Hey, guess what - I've just been to Chappell's piano hall in Wardour Street. Well, it was like waking up in Yamaha heaven. I spent a good while playing their S6 - and would have spent longer, if only I'd managed to maintain my grip on the leg as they dragged me across the floor by my ankles. Man, that is one BALLSY PIANO. When the time comes to choose between that and a Steinway B (think positive, think positive), it's going to be a hair-raisingly close call. I also tried their CFIII, which was indecently gorgeous and responsive etc, but for me the S6 was the star of the show.

This is a totally pointless post, isn't it? For once I'm not asking for advice or anything and frankly I don't care if you hate the thing. I just needed to share the love

I need a cigarette.

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 19 Apr 2008, 17:31

Everybody needs a dream, cherub...give up the fags (cigarettes, before any american reraders choke ) and by this time next year you'd have enough for...a castor...

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 19 Apr 2008, 18:36

The S6 is a blinder. A true S&S B alternative.

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 19 Apr 2008, 22:18

A true S&S B alternative.

Abso-bleedin-lutely.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 21 Apr 2008, 18:22

ok call me a philistine.... but i haven't yet fallen in love with an S6. I preferred the Bluthner Model 4 which is the same size.

Once upon a time I played a C6 that I thought was beautiful tho, much better than most s6s that I've played, altho it could have just been that particular one.

Also, there was this Bosendorfer 228 i gave a recital on. . . . oh man it was like sex on 3 legs!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 21 Apr 2008, 23:01

I suppose it really comes down to personal preference with top end pianos like this. I've played a Bluthner Model 4 and didn't like it at all, so it's just as well that all our tastes are catered for!

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 24 Apr 2008, 17:01

True, and Bluthners etc are less consistent than Yamaha who undoubtadly have their quality control down to a very fine art.

I find also that certain pianists sound good on certain pianos. I know that we should be able to make every piano sound good, within reason. However, some pianists don't sound so good on some pianos that other pianists do. Its funny, I guess you have to feel at one with the instrument you're on.

Certainly in terms of quality/price ratio an S6 is a good option. So are most Yamaha pianos tho aren't they! Boy I wish I was the head of that company.. ..

PianoFifty · Post by **PianoFifty** » 28 Apr 2008, 18:21

Spot on about Chappells piano hall - I love that place, and sometimes go there in my lunch hour to drool. I've played that S6 too - the thing I loved about it was the responsiveness of touch. I have a GC1 at home and there is no comparison. Far, far, better value than a Steinway B (and judging from the one I played at Steinway Hall last year, a better piano anyway in many ways).

This must sound like I have shares in Chappells, but what a great place Chappells is - not just the piano hall, but the music department (the head salesman John has been tthere over 25 years, and his knowlegde of sheet music is legendary) and the electronic keyboards department are both great. The place is a big improvement on the old Bond Street shop.

Gooday · Post by **Gooday** » 07 May 2008, 16:58

Thanks to the series of free lunch time concerts (Wednesday's at Chappells - you can get something for free!) I've heard somebody who knew what they were doing playing the S6 at Chappels. I'm probably in a very small minority, but I thought the S6 I heard sounded really really plain. Maybe it's just too perfect - every note clear and essentially identical sounding. But I really liked the CFIII (for the 30 seconds or so I spent anxiously looking over my shoulder hammering out some grade 2 stuff) and that piano hall is fantastic. I spent Sunday watching Hewitt and her Faziolli. Now that's an interesting sounding piano - In my view ideal. But then compared to my humble B1, I guess I could live with an S6

(Though there is a point, just before my B1 goes out of tune that it becomes really full of character in the middle of the keyboard ... Ok, maybe I just don't like perfection...)

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 07 May 2008, 22:29

I spent Sunday watching Hewitt and her Faziolli.

You dirty bugger. I've got that DVD of La Hewitt talking about playing Bach on the piano (a bit like listening to the Queen's Speech, but infinitely more useful), and it's filmed in the Fazioli factory. The piano sounds good but I'm not sure I see what the fuss is all about. Maybe when a few other top names start using Faziolis....

Gooday · Post by **Gooday** » 08 May 2008, 11:48

Not the DVD! - live concert at the Royal Festival hall. She didn't speak in either recital (WTC bk1 and 2) but she did drink a lot of water (6 pints per concert?!). Anyway, live the Fazioli definitely sounded good...

PianoFifty · Post by **PianoFifty** » 08 May 2008, 12:43

I guess when you talk about high end pianos, they are supposed to be transparent in tone - its the music that matters, and the piano is just the vehicle for the sound. I agree that the S6 doesn't have a distinctive sound, but it lets the player communicate the music in a way that less well made pianos can't.

I remember having the opportunity to play a brand new Steinway B in the 70's for a few hours, and it was fantastic - best piano I have ever played. The bass notes were really deep and clear, and lovely transparent mid and top end. But I think Steinway were uncompromising with their choice of materials in those days - I recall it even had ivory keys - or perhaps it was just a good 'un.

Off topic, but I have sat through too many solo piano recitals where the srtist just walked up to the piano, played, bowed and walked off. Great when a pianist actually says a few words about what they are about to play. A good exponent of this is Roy Howat - he sometimes does free recitals at the Royal Academy of Music and at Steinway Hall. He specialises in French music - Debussy, Ravel, Faure etc and his recitals are well worth going to, as he is a very interesting and entertaining speaker.