News

An interview in Süddeutsche Zeitung and a long article in Handelsblatt: two of Germany’s nationwide papers report on C. Bechstein’s success story in the space of a week.

All the main Bechstein dealers from Germany and abroad came to Frankfurt’s Bechstein Center while visiting the 2012 International Music Fair. The Center’s elegant atmosphere and the excellence of the new models exhibited prompted them to order, so that the Bechstein order books are filled. Even the competition came to visit... and expressed their compliments. By the way: Bechstein sold a great number of grand pianos in 2011 and the upwards trend continues this year. There is also a growing demand for individual finishes, like the C. Bechstein grand in rosewood with chrome plate and hinges, for example.

The BECHSTEIN Academy pianos set the standard today for families and music conservatories the world over. Now we have made the product line even better!

The new C. Bechstein catalogue, titled The Sound of Excellence, is the first publication to show portraits of the team that makes the German brand so successful. Candid photos take you inside the factory to see craftsmen at work bending cases, building soundboards, hand-winding strings, installing the action, and much more.

Product development is continuing with the same intensity as in recent years. The novel C. Bechstein grand pianos feature still greater capacity for tone - sustain and modulation. These instruments of the masterpiece class offer the pianist improved finesse as well as a more professional touch and sound.

Werner Albrecht, the number two in C. Bechstein’s technical department, stars in a captivating video all about the new Bechstein Vario System. The fifteen-minute film was produced in a Berlin television studio and demonstrates the many possibilities of this unique digital mute – designed by Bechstein and made in Germany. Thanks to the Bechstein Vario, you can play day or night without disturbing your family or neighbours. Bechstein Vario quickly and easily turns your piano into a MIDI master keyboard. See for yourself!

Dimitri Bashkirov, one of the best and most famous piano professors worldwide, will give a master class from April 16th to 20th in Berlin. The Studio Niculescu will arrange the master class in cooperation with the C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG. More than 20 young pianists applied for the master class. Professor Bashkirov will select seven active participants on April 16. Dimitri Bashkirov and all activ participants of the master class will perform in the closing concert, to take place on April 20 in the stilwerk Berlin as part of C. Bechstein's Piano Concert Series 2012.

“Michele Campanella plays Liszt’s Bechstein” is the title of a new CD that was recorded in February 2011 and published by Brilliant Classics in autumn of the same year.

On the occasion of “Music China” (International Exhibition for Musical Instruments) in Shanghai, Bechstein arranged it’s first large media conference. The highlight of the event was Bechstein’s  donation of a upright piano to the Shanghai QingCongquan Training Center for Children with Special Needs.

The BECHSTEIN Academy A 175 was rated best in the French magazine Pianiste. Bernard Désormières tested the grand piano in the latest issue (Nov/Dec 2011) and heaped praise on the instrument.

Süddeutsche Zeitung described him as “the new darling of all piano aficionados”, while Fono Forum dubbed him “Star of the month” after his first Bechstein CD. David Theodor Schmidt now releases a second album entitled Wohin? — once again on a C. Bechstein D 282 concert grand. The young pianist is to give five concerts featuring works by Bach, Schumann and Schubert/Liszt (see dates under Scheduled concerts).

Enjoy Bechstein perfection day and night – without disturbing your roommates or neighbours. The novel Bechstein Vario digital mute system was developed by Bechstein and is made in Germany. It enables you to enjoy the exquisite Bechstein sound fully without even making the strings resonate. The Bechstein Vario system stands out with its exceptionally dynamic sound, elegant design and ease of use. See also Music Magazine Pianist No 63.

Got your own Facebook account? Then show your friends you like Bechstein! Just click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/BechsteinPianos, then the “Like” button and become part of the worldwide Bechstein family!

The latest issue of the French music magazine Pianiste (July/August 2011) contains an extensive feature on Bechstein, including an article on the newest additions to the group’s product portfolio showcased at the last Frankfurt Music Fair and a comprehensive test of the W. Hoffmann T 122 piano – to which the magazine gives top marks.

All over the world, an increasing number of pianists are recording on Bechstein pianos. Just recently, the following artists recorded new CDs on a Bechstein: Nicholas Angelich and Michel Dalberto, David Theodor Schmidt, Claire Désert, Shani Diluka, Abdel Rahman El Bacha, Motoi Kawashima, Vassily Primakov and Haiou Zhang.

The International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz is one of the most important events of its kind in the world. At the 2011 edition, the competitors in the Junior category performed on a C. Bechstein concert grand.

An impressive photograph of an exceptional concert by the Polish violinist Kinga Augystyn and Ukrainian pianist Anna Shelest at the World Trade Center. Both of these young musicians appeared in the “Bechstein Artist Series”.

Business editor Thiemo Heeg has written a portrait of the C. Bechstein company and its CEO Karl Schulze in the FAZ of 6 June 2011. The half-page article, titled "We Don’t Want to Die Beautiful", appeared in a regular FAZ feature that showcases companies and entrepreneurs.

Young Sun Jin has been awarded First Prize at the third C. Bechstein Baden-Württemberg Conservatory Competition for Piano. A student both of solo piano at Trossingen conservatory and of chamber music at Stuttgart conservatory, Young Sun gave an outstandingly colourful interpretation of the first volume of Claude Debussy’s Images at the winners’ concert held at Trossingen State Conservatory.

The C. Bechstein company breaks new ground: At the invitation of the German jewellery manufacturer Wellendorff, Bechstein took part in the opening ceremonies of a new Wellendorff shop in Beijing.

The new Bechstein Academy A.175 expands the model range to five grand pianos and closes the gap between the A.160 and A.190.

Due to the tremendous success of the W. HOFFMANN brand, C. Bechstein Europe is bringing three new models in the W. HOFFMANN Vision series to the market: the two upright pianos V 126 and V 131 and V 175 grand piano.

At the International Frankfurt Music Fair in April 2011, Bechstein displays its new models and the entire product range. Visit us at Eschersheimer Landstraße 45. Playing and testing welcome!

The next C. Bechstein Piano Competition Baden-Württemberg will be held from June 2 to 4 at the Trossingen University of Music.

Join us on a tour of the German factory, look into the heart of a grand piano, dive into the secrets of Bechstein piano manufacturing.

Suitable for Liszt Year 2011, a new Liszt CD has just appeared, which Haiou Zhang recorded on a C. Bechstein Bechstein concert grand piano for the Hänssler Classic label.