The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-17
A NE w PLANO.
An Important Invention and Improve
mont In Upright PIanO-EOrtes.

An Important Invention and Improve
ment In Upright PianO-Fortes.
The upright piano, doubtless the handsomest, a. it
promises TO be the favorite Of its class has very
recently undergone 50 marked an improvement IN
the science OF its manufacture as to be in many
from the testimony OF leading nstrumen asts in the
Old VI orld that the square and grand pianos made
ments Of art to the most celebrated manuactSfe of
the Old World; but in the construction of the up.
right pianos the American maker has heretofore
labored under the same difficulties as have beset the
European. Many costly experiments have been
uieS ano muSn ngenlous study given 70 the task OF
were in harmony with its convenience compactness,
ana beauty OF form ought TO be more desirable than
any other TO large number OF households and an
extensive class OF performers. The upright piano
made hith rto wanted power, full tone and an even
register. The action was not only complicated,
cramped and defective, but the instrument was con-
stanty liable TO get out of order, while, from these
and variety OF causes, there was no certainty of
:. In the new upright pianos just set up by the
Messrs; Steinway g. Sons these defects are, without
players have already tested the accuracy and brill
lianoy of the instrument; and its perfection, now
arrived at after much expense and many years of
experiment, brings to the view Of the musical world
an event OF infinite importance to their art The in-
yention by which this fine result has been achieved
belongs solely to the eminent firm we have named.
Beyond the praise due them for q remarkable sue
cess Of enterprise, they deserve public graduation
Tor q discovery which, great or small, Is likely TO
benefit the general community OF musicians as much
as any improvements of late years effected in the
"The Patent Resonator' and Double Iron Frame"
and were patented June 8 of this year. From
description OIL the general features of the instru.
ment musicians will be able to understand its points
OF superiority.
The instrument is provided in addition to the
usual iron frame sustaining the strings in the front
OF the sound-board, with an iron brace frame in the
rear OF IT, instead OF constructing the latter portion
OF the instrument heretofore, of heavy pieces of
timber. Both the front and rear iron frames are
cast together in one solid piece by this means i'm:
pa ting soliditY of construction aud stability of
tune not paraeled in all respects In piano-iorle
manufacture. The sound.board is supported in its
position between the two frames by simple appa.
ratus which regulates its tension so that the greatest
possible degree Of vibration and sound producing
capacity is obtained and regulated 10 the incest de-
In every upright piano previously manufactured,
the action stood upon posts the lower ends of which
Tested upon the keys rendering the mechanism COM
plicated and liable TO get out of order In the new
patent overstrung upright pianos of Seinway &C.
Keys, in the same manner as in their square and
gIand pianos and the touch is just as hight, agree.
able and prompt.
Another highly important and delightful improve.
ment IS their newly invented 'soft pedal,' as ap-
pied to these instruments. By simple and most
ingenious arrangement the whole line of hammers
can be moved either close proximity to the strings
or TO any desirable part of their striking distance,
thereby enabling the performer at will to produce
the 1ull power OF the instrument, or the sOttest
whisper Of its tone, or any desired gradation of
creScendo or decrescendo, with the most unerrIng
certainty. The volume OF tone these new 1nstrua
ments is strange TO say fully equal to that tn cir
best and most powerful square pianos, while their
quality of the most exquisite musical character
pure, sympathetic and perfectly plable the
"singing" capacity and duration of sound of the
instrument being truly surprising thus enabling the
pianist to produce variety of the most charming
effects.
From trial and hearing of one OF these Instruments
we are convinced OF their very great value to music
Their length and depth OF tone is extraordinary;
their vibratory power is in keeping with the fullest
and souDdest volume OF tone; and there is dulcet
and CRY staine clearness in the pay of the higher
keys. Sacred music performed on this instrument,
has a strength and resonance not to be supplied by
any other instrument OF its size 1t IS also one of its
remarkable merits that its tone be brought to q
positive close at will of the player, thus avoiding
the old unmanageable vibration We have no hesi-
tatiOn in approving the instrument, which,
with its peculiar and original advantages seems the
most perfect of its Its full beauty OF and
mechanism must be seen to be appreciated.