Steingraeber & Sohne D 232

D-232 is a classic grand piano for professionals, universities and mid-sized halls. The new capo d’astro bar is conducive to an especially singing tone and enriching the softest pppp to the most energetic ffff; Covering 46 notes, this capo d’astro bar is the only one of its kind worldwide.

At Steingraeber we think of the D-232 Semi-Concert Grand as the brother of the E-272 concert grand. The family resemblance is immediately apparent in the shape of the outer casing: the piano’s sound reflection zones, symmetrical shape, tone modulation and tightly-controlled soundboard area – with a wide dynamic range from the softest pianissimo to the most energetic fortissimo – create an especially cantabile tone. The capo d’astro bar extends across forty-six notes to just above the middle of the keyboard, so that only forty-two strings are bound by agraffes. This concept results in even more brilliance and resonance, and makes it the only model of its kind in the world.

This piano is a solo and chamber music instrument best suited to medium-sized auditoriums. At present, the most famous location for a D-232 is at the Bagsværd Kirke in Copenhagen, a monument to twentieth-century architectural history. Jørn Utzon, architect of the Sydney Opera House, conceived the design for this custom-made Steingraeber D-232, and his son Jan undertook the completion of the project at the Steingraeber workshops. Other important sites include universities of music and music academies from Brno to Dresden, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Munich, Vienna, and Stockholm.

FEATURES

• increased treble sustain

–  small tweeter dimensioning of the treble board

–  backstrings of the treble in triade-overtones

–  capo d’astro bars with strengthening bridges

–  induction-hardened capo d’astro bars

–  treble frame-horn for extra tension in the belly rail

• sound-reflecting rim, straight form in the rear
• hardened bridge pins in nickeled iron
• agrafes hardened by steel pins
• straight bass bridge for a higher soundboard amplitude
• perfect touch

–  5 section weighting of the keyboard: 52–48 g (sharps 1 g lighter!)

–  fast-responding keys (20 % more upweight)

–  reliable key tops without aquaplaning

• frame design without hindering cross-braces for techniques for Contemporary music
• responding touch by aluminium action rails with wooden fillings

SPECIFICATIONS

• sound-reflecting casing wall, straight form in the rear
• particularly sonorous discant resulting from:
  • precise high-frequency dimension of the treble-range soundboard
  • treble backstrings constructed using ‘Mischklang’ (unified sound) principle
  • sound bridges on the capo d’astro bars
  • induction-hardened capo d’astro bars
  • 2 frame flanges in the treble region for extra tension
• hardened bridge pins in nickeled iron
• agrafes hardened by steel pins

• perfect touch
  • 5-section weighting of the keyboard: 52–48g (sharp notes 1g lighter)
  • fast-responding keys (20% more up-weight)
  • reliable key tops (to avoid ‘aquaplaning’)
• frame design without front cross struts (for New Music ‘extended techniques’)
• responding touch by aluminium action rails with wooden fillings