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 Specifications:
Range: 63 notes, 5 octaves, FF-g3 chromatic, non-transposing (a'~ 415, Hz)
Disposition: Bichord FF-a', trichord b-flat'-g''', sostenuto on knee levers (left, full gamut; right, treble only)
Decoration: The case has been veneered after the example of the Walther in the Vienna Museum. Case exterior: mahogany panels, inlaid stringing, walnut crossbanding; Lid underside, mahogany; Lid upper surface, mahogany edged with inlaid stringing and walnut crossbanding; Keywell, satinwood panels, ebony stringing, walnut crossbanding. The music desk is a reproduction of the one that appears in the Mozarthaus in Salzburg. Reproduction brass hardware.
Dimensions: 86 ¾" length o.a.; 39 ¾" width; 11 ¼" case depth (not including knee-lever blocks); 20 1/2" floor to knee-lever block
Built carefully following the ca. 1795 Walter in the Germanisches National Museum. (MIN 109) This fine instrument has been made by one of our past apprentices, Cesar Guidini. As a young man, Cesar came to us already a trained luthier. His fascination with keyboard instruments has led him, after being on his own in the antiques trade for a few years, to make this instrument, among others, for himself.
This instrument is beautifully decorated (veneered) inside and out after the pattern of the Anton Walter fortepiano in the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum (#454, roughly contemporary with MIN 109).  The central panels on the exterior case sides are mahogany crotch figure arranged vertically and book-matched, surrounded by diamond-checkered stringing and European walnut cross-banding. The keywell is decorated in much the same manner but, if anything, even more sumptuously. The satinwood panels, laid in a diagonal four-way book-matched pattern (and flanking the ormolu maker's cartouche), glow with a vibrancy found in few other woods.  Sitting at the neatly made keyboard (which is finished with ebony naturals and sharps capped with reclaimed piano-key ivory), well-judged details abound but the simple ebony stringing and walnut cross-banding discreetly help direct the gaze back to the real drama in the satinwood. The underside of the lid is veneered to appear as a slab of mahogany. The top of the lid is also largely mahogany but edged with stringing and cross-banding to match the case sides. The lid is mounted with period reproduction brass hardware. The instrument stands on 5 square-tapered walnut screw-on legs. The whole instrument is expertly French polished.
The light action gives the astute performer the opportunity to play for long periods without strain. The sound is quite full-bodied and strong and should fill moderately large halls with ease.
(CG-2) Offering price $26,000 (includes tuning & maintenance tools & supplies, spare voicing leather)
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