Click the "BACK" button on your browser to return to Web Publishing
Richard Hester Fortepianos
Richard Hester Fortepianos makes instruments in the Viennese Classical tradition with models based on the originals of Anton Walter, Ferdinand Hofmann, and Conrad Graf. Also knowledgeable about later nineteenth-century iron-framed pianos, Richard Hester is active as a consultant on European and American instruments requiring restoration or conservation services. Instrument rentals, technical services for concerts and recording sessions are also available.
5 - OCTAVE FORTEPIANO AFTER WALTER
Anton Walter (1752-1826) is widely acknowledged as one of the most important fortepiano makers in Vienna from the 1780's through the 1820's. In terms of design innovation, production, and popularity with musicians, perhaps only the Streicher establishment was comparable.
Like many of his peers, Walter was not native to Vienna but had relocated there to establish a business under the culturally rich umbrella of the Hapsburg capital. In this atmosphere the arts prospered. Refinements in fortepiano design were inevitable, due to the burgeoning number of new piano factories, competitive instrument makers, and the strong presence of many extraordinary musicians. Mozart and Beethoven owned Walter instruments and Shubert also knew them. In 1804 Walter had twenty journeymen employed in a shop capable of producing more than one hundred instruments in a year.
The musical qualities of Walter instruments are still evident in several fine extant originals, which dramatically demonstrate a robust character, wide dynamic range and subtly changing colors throughout the upper register. His fortepianos were very reliable mechanically as well as innovative in structural and tonal design. The Walter-designed soundboard, stringing and bridge produce an instrument of forthright voice while also capable of a darker and more reserved tone. Although these diverse qualities may challenge players of the modern piano, they belong to the Viennese musical language of that era and speak in our own time with remarkable freshness.
Our intent is to keep Walter's practical design, original dimensions and materials. His keyboards were built for easy removal. We have added an adjustable prell rail along with individually adjustable backchecks which make possible quick routine action adjustments.
6½ - OCTAVE FORTEPIANO AFTER GRAF
Conrad Graf (1782-1851) was one of Vienna's most prominent fortepiano makers, his career distinguished by the imperial K.K. court appointment in 1824 and a gold medal at the 1835 Vienna trade exhibition. Known and respected throughout the European continent, his instruments were used by such musicians as Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, Wieck and Liszt. Before he sold his flourishing business in 1842, his shop produced nearly 3,000 pianos, of which just over 60 remain today. Like those of his predecessor Anton Walter, Graf's instruments represent mainstream Viennese pianomaking of the time.
From the 1790's into the first decade of 1800's, the fast-growing demand for the fortepiano accompanied notable advances in its design. Graf benefitted from the rise of specialty-part and hardware suppliers (which reduced in-house production of small metal action components and decorative brass hardware), allowing him to concentrate on action design, production and other musical refinements. By 1820, the keyboard compass had expanded to six and one-half octaves - where it remained throughout Graf's career - and this expansion, with a higher overall string tension, required substantially heavier wood frames; the result was a fuller sound and greater resonance. Smoother now in its gradations of color, the more powerful instrument was capable of new "orchestral" sonorities and effects and ready for the romantic representations of Schumann and Liszt.
Our Graf fortepiano follows the original design features and materials as closely as possible, including the oak and fir laminated frame and the brass overspun bass strings. Small individual adjustment screws are used in the escapement system to simplify regulation. Our instrument includes the same removable oversoundboard that served as a sound-blending feature in instruments of the period.
In addition to manufacturing Viennese forte pianos, we are also keenly aware of the need to provide technical assistance and service for these special instruments. While the service issues are an immediate consideration, many other areas of information will assist performers in integrating a fortepiano (and its new concepts) into their existing understanding of the modern piano.
To assist owners, we have available various informational pieces:
Introduction to the Fortpiano, in 20 Questions More or Less ($12.00)
Informational sheets on:
If you are interested in recieving any of these informational pieces, please contact Richard Hester by phone at 518-756-8654.