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MMD > Archives > August 2009 > 2009.08.17 > 06Prev  Next


FS: Hupfeld Phonola Roenisch Grand in Austria
By Petra Zenker

Hi,  In search of a new home for a beautiful grand player piano (due
to the necessity of vacating our late mother's house), I stumbled over
this brilliant community of lovers of mechanical music instruments.
I really was surprised by the huge variety of issues and, stimulated
by the enthusiasm in this community, I find it now really hard to
separate from this instrument which was a source of big fun in my
childhood.  Hopefully it will find an enthusiast who appreciates its
qualities.

And here it is: Roenisch grand piano, length 2.20 meters [7' 2"],
with Hupfeld Phonola action.  This beautiful instrument, with
double-column style legs, black lacquer, and ivory keys, produces
a rich sound, with a strong bass and a brilliant treble.  The player
action is still in good working order, all notes play (with ghosting
keys).  The 73-note tracker bar can be changed to a second, 88-note
tracker bar (I only don't know how).  The wind-up spool can be taken
out.

The control panel swings up from below the keyboard: the tempo lever
serves as well for silent fast forward and silent fast rewind (those
two latter functions have to be tickled slightly to get started,
but then they work fine), subduing levers for both bass and treble,
a pedal "button" and a handle for dynamics (you are supposed to follow
the marked dynamics track on the running roll with the handle).  The
pumping pedals tip into a case when you want to use the piano as a
"real" piano.

The instrument comes with an original sloping bench (gives your legs
more freedom of movement for pumping) and circa 50 rolls for the
73-note system.  The instrument has been kept away from sunshine,
central-heating and rebuilders and is in all parts original.  There are
two serial numbers: 61516 on the soundboard, and 41289 on the player.
On the soundboard, within the design of two ribbons, the inscription
reads as follows:

  KÖNIGL. SÄCHS. KÖNIGL. SCHWED. KAIS. KÖNIGL. ÖSTERR. UNGAR.
  HOF-PIANOFORTE-FABRIK CARL ROENISCH

On the treble-side of the soundboard, there are three beautiful golden
medals as an ornament to the frame, each for one of the above mentioned
royalties.

The instrument is located in Austria, near Salzburg.  Digital photos
available on request.  Visitors are welcome at any time.  All adequate
offers considered.

I would also be delighted to learn more about this type of instrument.
Perhaps somebody can identify its "birthdate", from the serial numbers
given.

Best regards,
Petra Zenker
Vienna, Austria
petrazenker@tele2.at.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]


(Message sent Mon 17 Aug 2009, 20:27:53 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Austria, FS, Grand, Hupfeld, Phonola, Roenisch

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