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  • Piano in the spotlights: 10 interesting facts about the pianos in the Queen Elisabeth competition

Piano in the spotlights: 10 interesting facts about the pianos in the Queen Elisabeth competition

  • Acoustic piano
  • Player piano

Since 1999, Piano's Maene is involved in the organization of each edition of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The piano technicians and experts of Piano's Maene take care of the exceptional musical experience of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, both for the pianists and the audience.

Flagey Brussel
The jury

Who selected this year's pianos?

True to tradition, a delegation of the Queen Elisabeth Competition selected the instrument in the Piano's Maene atelier in Ruislede. Pianist and jury member Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden chose from two preselected Steinway concert grand pianos. The technician of Piano's Manee, jury chairman Gilles Ledure and the person responsible for Steinway at Piano's Maene were also present.

They are always looking for an instrument that has both the warmth needed for a solo recital and the power and clarity needed for the final concerts. All candidates will play the same piano from the first round to the final.

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How does the piano reach the stage?

Unfortunately, the Steinway D-274 does not fit in the lifts of Flagey. So the page is carried to Studio 4 by 6 piano movers. 

A perilous undertaking! Bozar and the Henry Le Boeuf hall are slightly better equipped for piano transport, there is less pulling and hauling involved.

On the photo you can see the smaller Steinway B model rolling through the halls of Bozar.

Steinway & Sons D-274

Did you know there are two concert grand pianos on stage?

As the competition piano is used exceptionally intensively during public performances, the competition provides for a spare piano. If, for example, a string broke, the competition would have to be stopped for a while to replace it. That would completely upset the tight time schedule. 

The spare wing has to be available at any time and is therefore also perfectly tuned during the contest!

 

Binnenkant Steinway & Sons 274-D

Why is the grand piano a Steinway & Sons?

In some international competitions candidates can choose from different brands of grand pianos. To enable the pianists to be heard as objectively as possible, the Queen Elisabeth Competition always uses the same Steinway & Sons D-274 concert grand piano for all candidates.

Steinway has been the reference for concert pianists for years. Steinways are known for their versatility, stability and their beautiful sound. The logical choice.

Are there that many differences between Steinways?

A Steinway D-274 concert grand piano, measuring 274 cm in length, remains the absolute reference for pianists. Yet every instrument that leaves the factory also has its own personality that makes it unique.

You can find a concert grand piano with more volume than another, with a rounder or more brilliant sound. When choosing an instrument, the pianist should take into account his or her preferences and the room in which the piano will be placed.

Mechaniek Steinway

How is the piano kept in top shape throughout the contest?

There are several piano technicians at Pianos Maene who take care of all instruments of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, both in the host families and in Flagey and Bozar.

Svetlozar Siarov, one of Pianos Maene's top technicians, is responsible for the concert grand pianos during the competition. He prepared, tuned and intoned the instruments before they were delivered to Flagey. During each interval, he tunes the concert grand piano so that it is always perfect for the candidate on stage. He tunes the piano completely by ear. He also checks the tuning and the pedals, so that the piano responds exactly as the pianist expects.

His job can be compared to the preparation of the racing cars in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Nothing is left to chance!

Why is the lid of the concert grand piano matt?

A Steinway D normally has a high-gloss lid. But there are many spotlights that illuminate the piano during a concert - especially if it is filmed and broadcast. To avoid reflections that would blind the musicians when looking at the conductor, Pianos Maene places an anti-reflective black adhesive film on the lid.

Why is the lid of the concert grand piano matt?

A Steinway D normally has a high-gloss lid. But there are many spotlights that illuminate the piano during a concert - especially if it is filmed and broadcast. To avoid reflections that would blind the musicians when looking at the conductor, Pianos Maene places an anti-reflective black adhesive film on the lid.

How do the contestants rehearse?

Every host family has a piano in its house. In Flagey, Piano's Maene places a buffet piano or a grand piano in each dressing room. Before they go on stage, the candidates can play one last time. The jury members are pianists too - of course. They all get a high-end digital piano in their hotel room: that way they can play without disturbing other guests.

Why and how is the piano disinfected?

The COVID-19 pandemic has made every phase in the Queen Elisabeth Competition more difficult - and that includes everything that has to do with the piano. To avoid risks, the grand piano is disinfected with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This product enables decontamination without damaging the piano keyboard. Also in the dressing rooms, pianists disinfect the pianos before playing.

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