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Grand pianoforte

A Viennese grand piano of the first quarter of the 19th century, with a 6-octave compass, F1 to f4, and triple-stringing throughout. Viennese grand piano action. There are five pedals, from left to right: keyboard shift (Verschiebung: due corde); bassoon (Fagottzug) for the notes F1 to e1; dampers (Dämpfung); moderator (Pianozug: piano); moderator (Pianozug: pianissimo). The bassoon stop (a replacement) lowers a paper cylinder onto the strings, giving a rasping sound. The moderator pedal inserts tongues of cloth between the hammers and the strings, one layer for pedal 4 and two for pedal 5. The instrument is veneered in walnut; an ebonised lyre ornament is mounted on the yoke which carries the pedals and links the two front legs.

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  • Inscriptions:On ceramic plaque within rectangular ormolu frame in centre of keywell: "Jacob Bertsche \ Bürger \ in Wien."
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  • Repository:Royal College of Music Museum
  • Measurements:Length: 2304mm. Width: 1218mm.