Leuven University (KU Leuven) is to take part in a project to build a unique replica of a piano used by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven during the final years of his life. The project will involve the construction of a replica of the Conrad Graf piano, the original of which is currently housed at the Beethoven-Haus in the Germany city of Bonn.
Leuven University taking part in project to build a replica of Ludwig van Beethoven’s piano
Published:
The original Conrad Graf piano is no longer playable and the Beethoven-Haus that is dedicated to Beethoven’s life, work and influence, will make both the original instrument and its archives available to those involved in the replica project.
KU Leuven will carry out extensive research into Beethoven’s late compositional style and the piano technology of his time. The Orpheus Institute in Ghent (East Flanders) will serve as an artistic and experimental laboratory, where the replica will be played and studied.
The replica of the Conrad Graf piano will be built by piano maker Chris Maene in collaboration with KU Leuven’s pianist and researcher Professor Tom Beghin. The pair have previously created historical replicas of two of Beethoven’s other pianos.
Professor Beghin told the press agency Belga that “With this Graf piano replica, we will complete the trilogy of the three surviving Beethoven pianos. We wish not only would reconstruct how Beethoven sounded, but also how he thought, felt and worked at the keyboard.”
A rich history of sound
The original Graf piano was built by Conrad Graf (1782–1851). Conrad Graf was the leading Viennese piano maker of his time. Beethoven acquired the instrument on 24 January 1826. It was a temporary replacement for his English Broadwood piano, while the Broadwood was being repaired by Graf. Ultimately, both instruments remained side by side in Beethoven’s home during the last 15 months of his life.
The Graf piano was remarkable for its extended range of six and a half octaves. This was at a time when most pianos had only had a range of five or six octaves. Its four-stringed stringing and the subtle tonal nuances that were made possible by its pedals further distinguished the instrument. Beethoven composed his famous Grand Fugue, Opus 134, on the Graf piano in 1826.
The replica is scheduled for completion early next year. It will then remain at the Orpheus Institute for 5 years for research purposes before touring Europe. After the tour, the instrument will go to its permanent home at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn.