Grand piano

One of the best piano manufacturers of the 19th century was the Érard company. Its founder, Sébastien Érard (1752-1831) was one of the master craftsmen who helped transform the piano from a home instrument to a concert one. The inventor began his career in his father's Strasbourg workshop. In Paris, when working with a harpsichord maker, he became known as an author of ingenious improvements in the workings of musical instruments. Thanks to a patronage, he received a workshop by the palace of dukes de Villeroy; later, in partnership with his brother, he opened his own workshop manufacturing square pianos for playing at home. He spent the French Revolution period in London, where he founded a second company. In 1796, he returned to Paris and began to manufacture grand pianos, enriching them not only with a warm, velvety sound but also an impressive appearance. Sébastien Érard developed 23 patents for keyboard instruments and harps by perfecting their mechanical workings and construction. The double escapement he introduced, allowed the piano's hammers to strike with great speed and precision after hitting the strings, which made it possible to press the same keys in very quick succession and to play fast passages. The invention turned out to be one of the most significant improvements to the mechanical workings and later development of the piano. After the death of Sébastien, the company was ran by his nephew, Pierre Érard (1794-1855), and continued working on new patents. Érard's grand pianos received awards at the World Fairs. Érard's grand piano with the serial number 32204, purchased by the Museum-Castle was made in 1868. It has a 7-octave keyboard A2-a4., On the keyboard's lid, the inscription 'Érard' is encrusted with gilded brass. The instrument is adorned with copies of the awards the company won in London and in Paris: 1. "LA SEULE GRAND MEDAILLE, COUNCIL MEDAL, A LˊEXPOSITION UNIVLE DE LONDRES * 1851 *", 2. "EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE 1855 MÉDAILLE DˊHONNEUR A ÉRARD MASSONNET ÉDITEUR".

Teresa Bagińska-Żurawska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-3967