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History
Stuart and Sons' is a manufacturer of handcrafted grand pianos based in Maryville, a suburb of Newcastle, Australia. Established originally in 1990 as Stuart & Sons Terra Australis Pty Limited the company evolved and formed a partnership with J. Albert and Son Pty Limited in 2001 and manufactures and retails from its own factory / showroom in Newcastle. [1]
Technical innovations
The pianos have traditionally had an expanded compass of 97 keys, compared with the standard 88. Stuart has stated that using "special wire from Stephen Paulello in France has enabled the design of the 2.2m 102-key piano as modern high-tensile music wire can not be used successfully for low tension scales." [2]
The pianos feature a "bridge agraffe" string coupling device, which enables the string when struck by the hammer to vibrate vertically and for a longer duration than in conventional piano designs.[3] This is said to lend the instrument superior dynamic and sustaining qualities when compared with conventional instruments. [4]They have a second soft pedal, (as does Fazioli) the "dolce" pedal, that moves the resting point of the hammers closer to the strings, thereby reducing the intensity of the hammer strike, giving the pianist greater control over tone colour, texture and intensity. [5] The sound has been analysed by Dr Anderssen from CSIRO in a mathematical model “…in the Stuart piano, the vibrations stay in the vertical plane because of the special coupling method implemented by Stuart. This gives a more harmonious and stronger sound,".[6]
Use of Australian timbers
Stuart pianos use Australian timbers for construction, including Tasmanian Huon Pine, Tasmanian black heart sassafras and Australian red cedar. Stuart & Sons has become synonymous with using Australian timbers including the rare, 2000 year old Tasmanian huon pine. Other timbers used include Australian red cedar, black heart sassafras, beefwood, ebony, sycamore, maple and oak. Wayne Stuart (personally) seeks out: -
...the finest examples of these Australian timbers to ensure the ultimate quality and beauty. [7]
'The White Room'
Stuart & Sons have a state-of-the-art broadcast / recording / performance space which is part of the Newcastle Factory. [8]
Piano locations
Government House, Sydney, Admiralty House, Sydney, Powerhouse Museum Sydney, Independent Theatre North Sydney, Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Clancy Auditorium - Australia Ensemble - University of New South Wales, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Rowan Atkinson UK, Boyds the Piano Shop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music;' Powerhouse Museum in Sydney; Central Queensland University Conservatorium of Music in Mackay, Queensland, The Conservatorium of Music of the University of Newcastle, Australia
The Dutch-Australian pianist Gerard Willems used a Stuart and Sons piano when recording the complete piano sonata cycle of Ludwig van Beethoven during 1999 and 2000. [9] Since 2000 the young British virtuoso Mark Gasser also frequently uses the Stuart & Sons as his instrument of choice and is even reputed to have played all 4 pedals at once.[10]
References
- ^ ""About Piano Australia"". Stuart & Sons. http://www.stuartandsons.com/stuart_qanda.html. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""The Ultimate Piano"". www.pianoworld.com. http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1279867/The%20Ultimate%20Piano%20(™).html. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""About Piano Australia"". Stuart & Sons. http://www.stuartandsons.com/stuart_qanda.html. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""Stuart and Sons pianos: concert piano design""". Piano Australia PTY. http://ats.business.gov.au/Company/CompanyProfile.aspx?ID=560. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""The Sound"". Stuart & Sons. http://www.stuartandsons.com/stuart_piano_sound.htmll. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""The Sound CSIRO"". Stuart & Sons. http://www.stuartandsons.com/stuart_sound_csiro.html. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""The Timbers"". Stuart & Sons t.
- ^ "[http://www.stuartandsons.com/showroom_acoustics.html "THE SHOWROOM ACOUSTICS The Acoustic Treatment of the Stuart & Sons Piano Showroom."]". Stuart & Sons. http://www.stuartandsons.com/showroom_acoustics.html. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ "[http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/music/0905/classical/beethoven.htm "Ludwig van Beethoven Complete Piano Sonatas Gerard Willems, Piano Stuart & Sons Piano"]". enjoythemusic.com. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/music/0905/classical/beethoven.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ ""Brisbane Powerhouse arts (sponsored by Stuart & Sons / Boyds the Piano Shop) Direct from the UK comes one of this generation’s greatest pianists to perform one of the most astonishing pieces of music ever written"". Brisbane PowerHouse. http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/view/mark-gasser/. Retrieved 2009-10-23.
External links
- Stuart and Sons Company Website
- Powerhouse Museum
- [1] Performers comments on using the Stuart & Sons piano (youtube publicity video)
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