Ferdinand Hofmann  c.1790

The two forte-pianos described are both eminently suitable for orchestral as well as solo work.  The six octave instrument by Johann Schantz obviously has the greater versatility,  the compass allowing the performance of Beethoven and Schubert and their contemporaries.

For those who wish to study the piano repertoire of the 18th century musicians will find the five octave instrument by Ferdinand Hofmann a wonderful tool with its light Viennese action and bell-like clarity, enabling  the possibilty of great insight into the music of this period.

Piano action.

 The Viennese action uses brass kapseln with stainless steel pivots. The hammer shanks are service wood and the majority of the working parts use pearwood and beech for their stability and fine grain.  Hammers use limewood cores and are covered with the finest selected antelope hide.

Each keyboard is balanced to ensure evenness of touch and responsiveness of action and the action is carefully  regulated to make certain that the finest possible tone is achieved.

The music wire used is of the finest quality and has been specially developed for the specific instruments on which it is used.  The iron and brass alloys follow closely those used on the forte-pianos and harpsichords of the 18th century. Only by this scrupulous attention to detail can a genuinely authentic sound be achieved.