Liszt grand piano sounds again
Klassik Stiftung Weimar, C. Bechstein and the University of Music celebrate the restoration of the instrument at the Liszt House
The C. Bechstein grand piano that once belonged to Franz Liszt and is on display at the Liszt House in Weimar is now playable again. On 22 October 2024, the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, together with the C. Bechstein company and the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, celebrated the restoration of the 1881 grand piano with a festive matinée at the Liszt House.
Annette Ludwig, director of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar museums, said: ‘The fact that historical instruments can be played is one of the unique features of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar museum collection. Here, as in only a very few places in the world, a largely authentic sound experience can be offered – on a wide range of historical keyboard instruments. We would therefore like to express our sincere thanks to the Bechstein company for their support’.
As part of a collaboration between the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar and the C. Bechstein company, the playability of the concert grand piano was permanently preserved. However, the instrument's action had recently become sluggish and needed to be overhauled.
The idea for this came from the University of Music in Weimar, while the initiative came from C. Bechstein, which undertook the work on the grand piano free of charge. The Klassik Stiftung Weimar deliberately scheduled the ceremony to mark the restoration of the instrument to Franz Liszt's birthday.
Stefan Roszak, C. Bechstein cultural manager: ‘We are honoured to have been able to restore the imposing, over 140-year-old C. Bechstein grand piano that Franz Liszt played, so that today it plays and sounds again as the composer probably experienced it himself.’
At the matinée at the Liszt House, the internationally acclaimed pianist Can Çakmur, who studied at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, played works by Franz Liszt on the grand piano.
The University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar emphasises that it has always been important to them to bring this historic instrument to life. Numerous events are held at the grand piano. The spectrum ranges from piano academies in the spirit of Liszt in the 2000s to the ‘Music at Liszt’ series, which still takes place regularly today with students from the Weimar piano classes.
Franz Liszt had lived in Weimar until his death in 1886, teaching talented young musicians on his C. Bechstein grand piano. The composer's former living quarters were opened as a memorial by Grand Duke Carl Alexander shortly afterwards. The music salon and study have been preserved in their original furnishings and can be viewed at the Liszt House.
[23 October 2024]