Previous Next

Fortepiano with a down-striking action

1840, Manufacturer: Johann Baptist Streicher

 

 

Fortepiano with a down-striking action

Until its dissolution in 1896, Johann Baptist Streicher’s (1796-1871) firm, together with that of Bösendorfer, was the most important piano manufacturer in the Austrian regions. His success was largely due to his great technical expertise and his quest for perfection. He attempted to make numerous design improvements: some just involved details, but others effected more fundamental aspects of piano construction. He discovered, for example, that the impact of the hammer from above facilitated a more efficient transmission of energy from the string into the soundboard. He developed the so called oberschlägige Mechanik, which functions according to this principle. The tonal results proved him right, but the maintenance of a mechanism of this type and the tuning procedure turned out to be too complicated. (rh)

Lit.: Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019

Location: Neue Burg, Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente Saal 16

Object data

Object Name

Fortepiano with a down-striking action

Culture

Austria, Vienna

Dated

1840

Manufacturer

Johann Baptist Streicher (1796 Wien - 1871 Wien) - GND

Dimensions Cover size is a museum or exhibition-specific information. It does not specify the real dimensions of the musical instrument.

2450 mm x 1310 mm x 860 mm

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente

Inv. No.

Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente, 412

Kunst & Patenschaft

This object is still without a Art Patron. Accept the patronage and make sure that this cultural treasure is preserved for future generations.
Your donation is a direct and sustainable contribution to the scientific documentation, research, restoration, and presentation of the artworks of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien.

Become an art patron