🎹Caravan - Jazz Piano by Duke Ellington played on the W. Hoffmann P162 Grand Piano🎹
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- 📽️Watch the review of the W. Hoffmann P162 Grand Piano HERE ▸ • 🎹W. Hoffmann P162 Gran...
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#WHoffmannP162 #WHoffmann #GrandPiano
Introduction:
In this video, Stu Harrison of Merriam Pianos plays a recently-arrived W. Hoffmann P162 Baby Grand Piano, a new favourite in the showroom and an exceptional example of high-performance European pianos becoming more accessible to a wider audience.
Stu gives us a rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” and “In The Wee Small Hours” by Mann and Hillard (popularized by Frank Sinatra), picking up on it’s clarity and unique bell-tone in the upper mid range.
About the piano:
The W. Hoffmann P162 is the smallest of 3 grand pianos in the Professional Line of Hoffmann Pianos - built entirely by C. Bechstein Europe in the Czech Republic. The instruments feature many shared components with the Bechsein Academy line, receive the highest levels of prep and craftsmanship from the Czech factory, and have been recognized as high-performers in several publications around the world.
Enjoy the video!
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Stumbled on this. Beautiful piano, beautiful playing by Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Harrison, over the last week or so I have watched countless of your videos, and what you offer is really quite singular and amazing value, in terms of insight on so many levels. I want to sincerely thank you for what you're doing.
After this sound exploration, I can certainly understand why you are so enthused about this specific instrument.
So far, I was a bit focused on the Kawai GX as THE preferable option, but this one almost blows it out of the competition. The clarity and beauty of tone is breathtaking. Quasi ideal.
What could be perceived as "richness" in tone, or color, on the Kawai is surely nice in its own way, but basically, I have a feeling that I don't want the instrument to add too much of neighboring harmonies, as it were, into the mix. I'm not the pro player for sure, but I guess I AM able to add some tones on sustain, if I want a super lush sound, and revel in the resonance.
The Hoffman in contrast appears to allow for a super clear picture, while still being far from clinical or naked or however one might call it.
Of course, it's quite a bit more expensive, too.
btw your choice of pieces and style of playing resonates with me, too. I'm not on your level of artistry, but the general approach does appeal to me as kind of similar.
Again BIG thanks from this West German fellow.
I might actually choose European now, although via my history of Roland digital instruments, I've some attachment to Hamamatsu, too. LOL.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for taking the time to check out our channel and write in with your insights! The Kawai GX models are stunning instruments in every regard, as are the W. Hoffmann P series instruments. At the end of the day, a lot of it comes down to personal preference and subjectivity. Both lines of pianos offer a unique character and musical experience, each of which will resonate with different types of players. You certainly can't go wrong with either option though. These are extremely well-crafted instruments that provide impressive musicality and expressivity. We are glad to hear that Stu's videos have helped introduce you to some other options that are worth exploration though. :)
What a great player!
Stu is fantastic! We are very lucky to have his incredible talents! :)
after listening (and marveling!) again: would it be fair to say that the tenor range is discernibly brighter (somewhat "cleaner") than the Kawai GX-2 / 3 and the higher octaves have more of a percussive quality, with a pretty sharp attack? I guess that's what you often describe as "bell-like" character?
I would say that is a fair assessment. The W. Hoffmann pianos have a brighter, clearer tone than the Kawai pianos overall. There is more individuality/singularity between notes with the W. Hoffmann pianos, which is in line with the quintessential "European" or "German" sound. On the other hand, the warmer voice of the Kawai GX pianos have a different quality; the notes tends to blend together more, which offers a denser texture that is quite rich and resonant.
@@MerriamPianos Wow, I'm impressed that you're actually replying so swiftly and nicely. Thanks again for all of your efforts! Seems I'm not the only one being grateful, because tens of thousands of views with such relatively niche topics, that's quite impressive, too. Keep going!
wich microphone do you use for thath sound ?
Hey Stu, can you please answer is this piano also good for classical music? You said on the other video that it is very good for Jazz and Pop musicians. Is it too bright for it, since i heard that mellow sound is better for classical music? Thanks in advance! Love all your reviews!!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! The W. Hoffmann P162 is certainly an appropriate instrument for classical playing. At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of the tonal preferences and tastes of the player. :)
I presume you have a lots of clients comes through your shop, supposingly some of them are jazz musicans, I was wondering towards which upright pianos they lean? I see a lot of Yamahas in the "official concert" videos but this may be due to Yamaha's investment in sponsoring and marketing. Is it really the best choice for home jazz playing? I don't feel like paying just for the brand. Kawai and Feurich seems to be lot cheaper or maybe I should look for some US brands as the jazz originates from America (are European pianos made with classical music in mind?). Any thoughts would be appreciated. I lack experience with "analog" pianos unfortunately.
I'll say this. A lot of pianos are versatile and work well with jazz or Classical. A good jazz piano needs articulation and a variety of colors and sounds as well as an ability to convincingly bring out the chord colors of jazz voicings. Kawai is a wonderful line of pianos that have a fairly dark tenor and bass and a good amount of lush sounds while having a very nice and characterful treble and strong upper treble. They have excellent action too but a very specific action. They are what they are cracked up to be. Steinways have a crystalline and sometimes bell tone and can be inconsistent but great ones are great ones. They are somewhat overrated because they can be inconsistent. I like Mason and Hamlin a lot as well. But in the not premium priced realm of professional but not performance level Kawai and Yamaha or Hoffmann that's in this area and Fuerich, they are all worth a look. Fuerich has a very good sound, they definitely have a European/Viennese type of sound and are worth looking into. Hailuns are very worth looking into, they're very fine sounding instruments. I think why people like Yamaha for jazz is not the usual they're bright thing. I personally find that overstated, there are some pretty mellow Yamahas. It's simplistic in what the appeal of Yamaha is. With Yamaha, they've undergone a tonal change so CX and even some of the GC models, but especially CX, have a longer sustain and a rather pronounced "bloom" to their tone. They don't have the fullest sound but you can hear each voice. They don't have the most powerful treble but it can still be heard above the loudest lowest bass notes. What they do have is a particular hammer attack, a very crisp attack that you can play with varying the articulation when you phrase and pop out your accents in a specific Yamaha way. I really think that's why some go for Yamaha as a jazz instrument. There is some brightness in some of them but it is more in the tenor/mid level than the treble. You get brighter trebles in the European instruments and even Kawai to some extent. But Yamahas are built well. They are what they are cracked up to be as well. I just feel like Kawai gives more engineering bang for the buck in the CX vs. GX range and GC vs. GL range. Also the Kawai GX1 to GX3 are larger than C1X to C3x. I admire both Kawai and Yamaha and prefer them over the Europeans and Hailun BUT, that's my personal preference. All of these instruments are fine instruments and good for jazz.
Benjamin Smith thank you for the detailed response. I was thinking more of an upright piano so maybe you could extend your recommendations with upright selection?
@@bajtucha A lot of the same thing applies. If you look at a US brand try Charles Walter. There aren't many US brands left, Mason and Hamlins are wonderful but pricey and I don't like Steinways 1098. Definitely look at Kawai, K200 up, Hailun, and depending on where you are Fuerich, Zimmermann or Hoffmann. I do like Hoffmann better than Zimmermann, though. With Yamaha, if looking at a b only the b3 is acceptable, the P22 is pretty nice, the Us are good to very good and the YUs are nice. I personally like Kawai uprights and Charles Walter. But Yamahas can also sound great. Kawai and Yamaha are liked by techs. I would say Boston is another brand worth look at. They are designed by Steinway and built by Kawai. They don't really sound like Kawais or Steinways but they have a hint of Steinway in the treble and how they project.
btw, there are US names like Kohler and Campbell, Baldwin, Knabe that are said to use these out of business American scale designs. They're Chinese built pianos. I'm not against Chinese built pianos, Hailuns are quite nice for instance. These sound OK on videos but I would talk to a tech about them.
@@benjaminsmith2287 Thank you very much! I live in Poland. It may be hard to find Hailun but the rest of them should be available.Thanks again.
Benjamin Smith I think Zimmerman is Chinese built too
Having this piano: this is when my nightmare started. The A2#, which is the last note on the bridge, sounds awful. 2 models same problem. No after selling assistance under warranty in Italy. And Bechstein refusing to recognize such an evident flaw. They simply do not even come to verify and help.
Hi, Brent from Merriam Music here. I am sorry to hear that you have experienced issues with your A#2 note of your P162. Personally, I have not heard about this issue before. Furthermore, as a longtime Bechstein dealer, our experience with their post-sale and warranty support has been excellent. I hope that you are able to find a satisfactory resolution to the issue as soon as possible.
@@MerriamPianos unfortunatelly there is no solution. Both seller and Bechstein did non intend to come to check because they believe the piano is ok: but at Bechstein they have not seen this piano since it was delivered on march 2023. According to Bechstein master technician I should tune and intonate my piano almost every time I play it and it is not a warranty issue: but we are talking about the same note on two consequent pianos (the first was substituted for the same problem following the Hoffmann technician team evaluation at their factory upon reviewing sound and spectral recording: note that my request was for assistance and repairing). Bechstein should better send one of their technicians rather than ignoring a customer. The warranty is still valid until march 2025. This is outragious for such a renowned piano maker. I heard that with Shigeru Kaway their master technicians are coming for a check up after the first 12 months. In my next life I will go for Shigeru...
Somehow you cancelled my reply: briefly, the piano is under warranty and either the dealer either Bechstein do not recognise to assist under warranty because - though Bechstein has not seen this piano since it was delivered in March 2023 - their chief master technician believes that the piano is ok and that I should tune and intonate it almost every time I play it. Hoffmann factory in dec 2022 had already decided to substitute the same model after reviewing the audio and spectral recording of the very same note. So this is the second instrument with the same faulty note. No one showed up to verify and assist as per warranty. I asked second opinion evaluations to three different qualified technicians and they told me that this note sound cannot be fixed. The warranty will be valid until march 2025. If you have not heard about this problem so you now are aware, as all my friends musicians in Tuscany @@MerriamPianos
P.S. if I am writing to you is because in Jun 2021 I decided to order this P162 after considering your review.
The piano is under warranty and either the dealer either Bechstein do not recognise to assist under warranty because - though Bechstein has not seen this piano since it was delivered in March 2023 - their chief master technician believes that the piano is ok and that I should tune and intonate it almost every time I play it. Hoffmann factory in dec 2022 had already decided to substitute the same model after reviewing the audio and spectral recording of the very same note. So this is the second instrument with the same faulty note.
In summary: no one showed up to verify and assist as per warranty. I asked second opinion evaluations to three different qualified technicians and they told me that this note sound cannot be fixed. The warranty will be valid until march 2025. If you have not heard about this problem so you now are aware, as all my friends musicians in Tuscany
P.S. if I am writing to you is because in Jun 2021 I decided to order this P162 after considering your review