Steingraeber Concert Grand w/ Sordino and Mozart rail demonstration by Matthew Bengtson

Please Like, Share, Comment and Subscribe!
Concert pianist Dr. Matthew Bengtson, piano and historic instrument faculty at the University of Michigan, demonstrates the unique features available on this Steingraeber concert grand including the Sordino pedal and the Mozart rail.
Learn more here: https://www.mattbengtson.com/

Steingraeber’s new features draw upon earlier variations of design features, such as the Mozart Rail (DGB 20 2014 003 845.7), previously employed either as hand pedal or knee lever. In this instance, a lever is employed to reduce the key depth to 8mm, and distance from hammer to string is shortened to 36mm, making softer pppp articulation possible, together with quicker repetition.
The result is faster and more ‘Mozart-like’, with a tone that is both smaller and silvery, but also more sustained. George Steingraeber actually developed this pianissimo pedal in 1894.

The ‘Sordino’ was a common feature in both Graf (Vienna) and Erard (Paris) pianos in the early 19th century. Today, Steingraeber & Söhne is offering this vintage sonority once again.
Technically speaking, the sordino sound effect is produced by means of a very thin strip of felt inserted between the piano’s hammers and strings, allowing sound modifications as described by Schubert’s “fp” markings. Its distance from the strings is negligible, and so the release is easily activated. The sordino guides are inserted on the left and right near the mountings and the flange of the piano’s frame. The path of the horizontal shift has to be fitted into the treble region of the frame. Steingraeber piano technician Alexander Reul was given the task of working out the technical aspects of what turns out to be a rather complicated innovation.
The Sordino function can be released in different ways, depending on each pianist’s preference. The most popular application is to activate the Sordino using the middle pedal ( as is the case with this piano).
Many pianists have expressed their excitement about the new sordino function including Paul Badura-Skoda and Martha Argerich who commented after experiencing it “…the sound of the piano increased in colour and capacity – a desire of every pianist.”