Besbrode Pianos Leeds, Specialist Piano Dealer and Wholesaler | home > |
The Golden Age of Pianos Exhibition |
The Golden Age of Pianos Exhibition at Besbrode Pianos Leeds: |
"The Golden Age of Pianos" An exhibition of unique, art cased pianos from the height of European piano making. As official partners of "the Leeds 2012", Besbrode Pianos transported a collection of 21 pianos from across Europe to feature exclusively in The Golden Age of Pianos exhibition, each of artistic and cultural interest. The collection included a piano designed by Peter Behrens (a leading Art Nouveau German artist), Oskar Kaufmann (A Hungarian-Jewish architect), a Broadwood designed by T G Jackson and made for Athelstan Riley's Music Gallery and pianos designed for the Great Exhibitions. |
Around the turn of the twentieth century a period of prosperity inspired an interest in culture and the arts. As the only source of music in the home, the domestic importance of the piano was at its peak. At this time the wealthy commissioned bespoke, art cased pianos as visible status symbols to stand as centrepieces in a room. Technical innovation of the instrument had reached its maturity prompting a flourish in custom made, luxurious cases. The breathtaking craftsmanship illustrated by these pianos reflect a climactic time in piano making and stand as monuments to the position of the piano in social history. By 1905, gramophone and disc recordings were available allowing the passive enjoyment of music. |
![]() |
The exhibition was situated at Besbrode Pianos showroom which spans four floors of a Victorian mill based in Leeds. Besbrode Pianos is a specialist piano dealer and wholesaler. With over 250 new and secondhand pianos on display at any time, ready to play and compare, it is one of the UK's largest piano retailers. Agents for Steinway & Sons. The full range of Steinway, Boston and Essex pianos available to purchase. For last 6 years Besbrode Pianos has been official partner to the Leeds International Piano Competition, providing pianos for the competitor's rehearsals. |
The Leeds International Piano Competition was founded in 1963, by Dame Fanny Waterman, Marion Thorpe CBE, then the Countess of Harewood, and her late husband, Dr. Geoffrey de Keyser and is now regarded by the international music community as the greatest international piano competition in the world. The Competition has been a springboard for many celebrated musicians including Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Andras Schiff and Mitsuko Uchida. The 17th Leeds International Piano Competition 2012 took place from 29 August to 16 September. In 2013 the Leeds International Piano Competition celebrates it 50th anniversary. |
This is an online archive of the event. |
A 1907, Bechstein Model E Grand Piano. Stamped with Trollope & Cols: |
||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
An 1891, Broadwood Grand Piano, Inlaid with Mother of Pearl, Tortoiseshell and a Variety of Woods: |
||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
An 1895, Bechstein Model C Grand Piano with an Intricately Carved Walnut Case. : |
||||||||||||||
![]() An intricately carved Bechstein Model C grand piano with an ornately carved, walnut case. Cabinet features carvings of two swans on the water on piano cheeks. Twisted around the rear piano leg is a two-headed serpent dragon. The front legs have elaborate feather scrolling. A serpentine, carved stretcher attaches the legs. The piano lyre features carved shell detail with brass shell pedals. Filigree style music desk with a flower and foliage design. Cabinet also features intricate brass hinges and name plate again echoing foliage. Amazingly the matching duet stool has survived. ![]() This Bechstein Model C on the Bechstein stand at the Berlin Trade Exhibition of 1898 Photo credit: "Berlin und seine arbeit herausgegeben vom arbeits - ausschuss amtl bericht der gewerbe ausstellung Berlin 1896 - Verlag Dietrich Reimer (Ernst Vohsen)" and "Pracht Album der Berliner Gewerbeausstellung 1896" |
|
|||||||||||||
This historic commercial and cultural film by C. Bechstein piano factory dates back to 1926. The movie is available on the C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik official channel | ||||||||||||||
back to top > |
An 1910, Bluthner Grand Piano with an Intricately Inlaid, Jacaranda case: |
||||||||||||||||||||
![]()
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Postcard montage from the 1910 Brussels World Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||
back to top > |
A Pleyel Grand Piano with a Hand-Painted Case and Carved Walnut Frame. Signed G. Meunier: |
||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() Front Cover of "L'Assiette au Beurre", No 58, 10 May 1902 |
|
|||||||||||||||
View exampes of french poster art in "Les Maîtres de l'Affiche" (in french). A movie uploaded to YouTube by The Goldmark Gallery | ||||||||||||||||
back to top > |
An 1897, Rococo Style, Bechstein Grand Piano with Brass Ormulu Mounts: |
||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
|||||||||||||
Click for a short YouTube movie on Swinton Park > | ||||||||||||||
back to top > |
Bechstein Model C Grand Piano with a Mahogany Case Inlaid with an Art Nouveau Design: |
|||||||||||||||||
![]() A 1902, Bechstein Model C grand piano with a mahogany case, inlaid with a variety of woods in an Art Nouveau design of flowers and tendrils. This piano had one previous owner Julius Gutermann, a wealthy victorian industrialist.
|
|
||||||||||||||||
Made in Germany | A Family Company - Gütermann | |||||||||||||||||
back to top > |
Arts and Crafts Ibach Grand Piano Designed by Dutch Architect Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers: |
||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
Colonial Style Steinway Model M Grand Piano Based on the First Piano Built by Heinrich Steinweg in 1836: |
||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
|||||||||||||
A 1929 Marketing Video by Steinway and Sons | ||||||||||||||
back to top > |
A 1900, Schiedmayer Grand Piano with an Art-Deco Case. Designed by Peter Behrens : |
||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() Peter Behrens's House at the Artist Colony of Darmstadt |
|
|||||||||||||||
Peter Behrens Graphic Designer - A film on YouTube uploaded by palomanena64 | ||||||||||||||||
back to top > |
Steinway Model B Grand Piano with an Ebonised Case and Unusual Barrel Legs. Designed by Oskar Kaufmann: |
|||||||||||||||||
![]() A Steinway model B grand piano with an ebonised case. Case features three tiered mouldings at base. Music desk has a geometric filigree design. Piano has three barrel legs each carved with figures playing musical instruments and floral relief detail. The Steinway piano was commissioned by Leo Lewin circa 1910 for his villa in Breslau, Germany.
|
|
Bluthner Grand Piano formerly owned by Sir Arthur Bliss, Master of the Queens Music: |
||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
|||||||||||||
back to top > |
A 1903, Ibach Upright Piano For Sale with a Rococo Style Case and Gilt Detail: |
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
|
Debain et Cie Upright Piano with an Ebonised Case, Intricately Inlaid with Ivory. Case Covered with Brass Ormulu Mounts.: |
|||||||||||||
![]() |
|
A 1911, Steinway & Sons Model O Grand Piano with a Satinwood Case, Hand-Painted with a Neoclassical Design: |
|||||||||||||
![]() |
|
Erard grand piano with an inlaid flame mahogany case. A replica of Marie Antoinette's piano: |
||||||||||||||
![]() A 1921, Erard grand piano with a mahogany case. Cabinet features stunning flame mahogany panels accented by satinwood crossbanding inlaid with diamond ebony detail. Piano has six tapered, octagonal legs with stringing inlay and brass finials. Piano lyre has claw and ball feet. A replica of Marie Antoinette’s piano. |
|
|||||||||||||
This famous android was a collaborative effort by two Germans. Clockmaker Peter Kintzing created the mechanism and joiner David Roentgen crafted the cabinet; the dress dates from the 19th century. Automatons were in circulation and aroused much curiosity. Roentgen probably sent the tympanum to the French court and Marie-Antoinette bought it in 1784. The queen, aware of its perfection and scientific interest, had it deposited in the Academy of Sciences cabinet in 1785. The tympanum is a musical instrument that plays eight tunes when the female android strikes the 46 strings with two little hammers. Tradition has it that she is a depiction of Marie-Antoinette. Source: "http://www.youtube.com/user/chateauversailles" | ||||||||||||||
back to top > |
Steinway Model S Grand Piano Designed by Swedish Architect Ivar Tengbom: |
|||||||||||||
![]() A 1958, Steinway Model S grand piano with a black case. Piano has square cheeks, minimal geometric music stand and lyre and octagonal facetted, tapered legs. Design emphasizes its planar qualities. Piano designed by Swedish Architect Ivar Tengbom, representative of Swedish Neoclassical architecture, designer of the Stockholm Concert Hall (1923 - 26) where the Nobel Peace Prize takes place. |
|
Besbrode Pianos Leeds. Tel: +(0)113 2448344 Email: info@besbrodepianos.com Unit A, Holbeck New Mills, Braithwaite Street, Leeds, LS119XE. |
Besbrode Pianos Leeds 2012 | Besbrode PIanos home page > |