Menu

bestpianobrands

A yellow logo of the word " fazioli ".

FAZIOLI Pianos

,


How do you know what piano is truly the best? As with any other musical instrument, a piano’s performance and esthetic value is at best a subjective opinion. However, given the number of professional, semi-professional, and aspirant pianists on the planet, thanks to the internet, one can parse the myriad factors by reading reviews, learning the components of piano quality, and by playing in person and hearing the instruments in concerts.

While one person might see an antique Steinway piano as a cool piano, another might regard the beautiful pianos that have emerged in recent years with unusual art cases: Lucite, exotic woods, art work, and design individuality to be more worthy of consideration. The nice thing is that cool pianos of unimaginable variations are today available. No longer are you stuck with the cookie-cutter brown baby grand in the corner, huddled under grandmother’s piano shawl.

So, how can we categorize what’s available? If you were buying an automobile, you would have a pretty good idea that the brand name of the car might give you some inkling of its value, performance and reputation, from Ferrari to Ford.

FAZIOLI Pianos
FAZIOLI Pianos

In the same way, the Manufacturers of pianos have garnered reputations and brand recognition over the years, including some of the newer, most favored Performance-Grade Brands coming out of Europe and some Intermediate-Grade Brands coming out of Asia.

What makes the difference between Performance-Grade pianos and Intermediate-Grade instruments? The interiors and exteriors of luxury pianos use higher grades of wood with the finest grain, color that is even, and/or with greater hardness, strength and/or acoustical properties. Veneers are more carefully matched and finishes polished to perfection. Action assemblies may be tweaked to more exacting tolerances than the original component. More time is spent on final regulation and voicing, the individual care to make each piano a singular gem. Underlying every high-end piano manufacturer is the philosophy of producing top performance-grade products with the driving force being quality – whereas with consumer-grade pianos, cost is usually the greater factor.

Highest Quality/Prestige Pianos

Fazioli F278 Concert Grand Piano
Fazioli F278 Concert Grand Piano

In 1978, musician and engineer Paolo Fazioli of Rome, Italy, began designing and building pianos, with the object of making the finest-quality instruments possible. There is no doubt that this manufacturer has surpassed the best of the best. Now even the most famous piano makers of Western Europe are recognizing his accomplishment, and artists throughout the world are using the instruments successfully on the concert stage and elsewhere. Many artists, and others most familiar with Fazioli pianos, describe them as sources of inspiration with a wide color palette and dynamic range, and combining great power with great warmth in a way that causes music played on them to “make sense” in a way made possible by few other pianos.

American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer and actor Herbie Hancock on the M.Liminal model Fazioli in concert.
American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer and actor Herbie Hancock on the M.Liminal model Fazioli in concert.

Fazioli builds only grands, about 150 per year, in six sizes from 5′ 2″ to 10′ 2″, the last one of the largest pianos in the world, with the further distinction of having four pedals. Three are the usual sustain, sostenuto, and una corda. The fourth is a “soft” pedal that brings the hammers closer to the strings — similar to the function in verticals and some older grands — to soften the sound without altering the tonal quality, as the una corda often does. A unique compensating device corrects for the action irregularity that would otherwise occur when the hammers are moved in this manner. The fourth pedal is available as an option on the other models. Fazioli also offers two actions and two pedal lyres as options on all models. Having two actions allows for more voicing possibilities without having to constantly revoice the hammers. A second pedal lyre containing only three pedals can be a welcome alternative for some pianists who might be confused by the presence of a fourth pedal.

In 2001, Fazioli built a new, expanded, modern piano-production facility, and in 2005 opened an adjoining 198-seat concert hall with a stage large enough for a chamber orchestra, where he maintains a regular concert schedule of well-known musicians who perform there. The concert hall is designed so that it can be adjusted acoustically with movable panels and sound reflectors to optimize the acoustics for performing, recording, or testing, and for different kinds of music, musical ensembles, and size of audience. The hall is used for the research and testing of pianos — every instrument Fazioli makes is tested here. In addition to these activities in the concert hall, the new factory also contains a department for ongoing research in piano design in cooperation with a number of educational institutions.

Fazioli pianos have inner and outer rims of maple, and seven-ply maple pinblocks from Bolduc, in Canada. The pianos have Renner actions and hammers and Kluge keyboards. The bronze capo d’astro bar is adjustable in the factory for setting the strike point and treble string length for best high-treble tone quality, and is removable for servicing if necessary; and the front and rear duplex scales can be tuned to maximize tonal color. The company says that a critical factor in the sound of its pianos is the scientific selection of its woods, such as the “resonant spruce” obtained from the Val di Fiemme, where Stradivari reportedly sought woods for his violins. Each piece of wood is said to be carefully tested for certain resonant properties before being used in the pianos. Similarly, three different types of wood are used for the bridge caps, each chosen for the most efficient transmission of tonal energy for a particular register.

An incredible level of detail has gone into the design and construction of these pianos. For instance, in one small portion of the soundboard where additional stiffness is required, the grain of the wood runs perpendicular to that of the rest of the soundboard, cleverly disguised so as to be almost unnoticeable. The pianos are impeccably prepared at the factory, including very fine voicing — even perfect tuning of the duplex scales.

A series of stunning art-case pianos is a testament to the ability of the Fazioli artisans to execute virtually any custom-ordered artistic variation on the six Fazioli models.

Fazioli Gold Leaf Piano
Fazioli Gold Leaf Piano

Each Fazioli piano is built saving one ton of carbon dioxide, thanks to the use of electricity produced by a new photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the Fazioli factory.

Warranty: 10 years, parts and labor, transferable to future owners within the warranty period.

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A black and white image of the word bluthner.

Bluthner Pianos

,


Blüthner, a privately-owned family business, has been making pianos of the highest quality in Leipzig, Germany, since 1853. and today boasts the world’s most extensive selection of transparent “Lucid” grand pianos. When you think of the brown Steinway piano tradition, it is clear that pianos have evolved to stunning new choices.

The Lucid piano is realized in reinforced Plexiglass exposing the beauty of what’s within. Customizable with different veneers and iron frame coatings, the look of the Blüthner Lucid Elegance is born of the client’s desires and imagination. From ebony or exotic burl veneers on the side panels to rose gold or chrome finish of the frame the semi-transparent instrument can be uniquely designed. The addition of LED illumination of the inner and outer rim of the piano case will add a touch a magic and transform your interior into real-life Neverland. Bluthner Lucid is where tradition and know-how of piano-making meet the vision of the future using new materials and latest technologies to make what seemed impossible just yesterday a beguiling reality of today.

Until 1900, Blüthner was Europe’s largest piano factory. During World War II, the factory was bombed, but after the war the East German government allowed the Blüthner family and workers to rebuild it because the Blüthner piano was considered a national treasure (and because the Soviet Union needed quality pianos).

Bluthner Lucid Grand Piano
Bluthner Lucid Grand Piano

Blüthner pianos have beech rims (grands), solid spruce soundboards, Delignit pinblocks, Renner actions, Abel hammers, and polyester finishes. Pianos for export have three pedals, including sostenuto on the grands, and celeste (practice) on the verticals. Blüthner builds about 100 verticals a year in four sizes, and 500 grands a year in six sizes.

Blüthner pianos incorporate several unique technical features. With aliquot stringing, the notes in the highest treble section (about the top two octaves) have four strings each instead of three. The extra string is raised slightly above the others and vibrates only sympathetically. The effect, heard mainly in medium to forte playing, is similar to that of a duplex scale, adding tonal color to the treble and aiding the singing tone.

In what may have been a world’s first, Blüthner designed a piano for left-handed pianists. This is a completely backward piano, with the treble keys, hammers, and strings on the left and the bass on the right. When it was introduced, a pianist gave a concert on it after only a couple of hours of practice! It is currently available in the 6′ 10″ and 9′ 2″ sizes by special order.

With voicing, Blüthner pianos have a very full sound that is warm, romantic, and lyrical, generally deeper and darker than some of their German counterparts. Sustain is good, but at a low level of volume, giving the tone a refined, delicate character. The action is a little light, but responsive. The pianos are built of superb materials, and are favorably priced compared to some of their competitors.

Bluthner Pianos

Blüthner also owns the Irmler brand and the Rönisch and Hupfeld brands.

Warranty: Blüthner and Haessler — 10 years, parts and labor, to original purchaser.

See Series Of Blog Posts For More Highest Quality/Prestige Pianos

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A black and gold logo for steinway & sons.

Steinway & Sons Pianos

,


Steinway grand pianos, and the Steinway B (the favorite of many technicians) cannot be ignored when discussing the best piano brands, although the nomadic history of this company, its myriad owners and configurations of business plans, and the uneven quality of existing product put it at the low end of our list of high-end instruments, due to the “noise” and “uncertainty” that its history imparts today. In addition, there is the issue of the New York City Steinway versus the Hamburg Steinway.

Steinway owns a branch factory in Hamburg, Germany, established in 1880. It serves the world market outside of the Americas. The detailing of the pianos at this Hamburg factory is reputed to be better than the one in New York. Both branches have their advocates among the experts, but Hamburg seems to be more favored in considered opinions. It’s possible to special-order a Hamburg Steinway through an American Steinway dealer; or an enterprising American customer could travel to Europe, buy one there, and have it shipped back home.

Heinrich Engelhardt Steinweg, a German cabinetmaker and piano maker, emigrated to the United States in 1850, and established Steinway & Sons in 1853 in New York City. They were granted patents in their ideas for a better piano with a stronger frame, a richer sound, and a more sensitive action. This ultimately revolutionized the piano as it was known then, and gave them the reputation they enjoy to this day. By the 1880s, the Steinway piano was pretty much the same piano we have today, and the standards set by the founder were strictly adhered to in the next generation.

Without heirs willing or able to take over the business, the fourth generation of Steinways also didn’t have enough capital to finance much-needed equipment modernization. In 1972, they sold their company to CBS who in 1985 sold it to an investment group. In 1995 the company was sold yet again, this time to Conn-Selmer, Inc., a major manufacturer of brass and woodwind instruments, and the combined company (called Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.) was taken public on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 2013, Paulson & Company, a private-equity firm purchased the public company and took it private once again. Paulson says he is committed to the quality-first approach on which Steinway built its reputation.

Steinway makes two types of vertical piano in three sizes: a 45″ model 4510 studio, a 46½” model 1098 studio, and a 52″ model K-52 upright. In all three models, the middle pedal operates a sostenuto mechanism. All Steinway verticals use a solid spruce soundboard, have no particleboard, and in many other ways are similar in design, materials, and quality of workmanship to Steinway grands. While technicians have always liked the performance of Steinway verticals, they have complained that the studio models in particular were among the most difficult and would unexpectedly jump out of tune. Steinway made small changes to alleviate this problem so the pianos are now mechanically more stable, but an excess of false beats (tonal irregularities) still make the pianos at times difficult to tune.

Steinway full size upright piano
Steinway full size upright piano

Steinway makes six sizes of grand piano, two of which are new within the last several years. All ebony, mahogany, and walnut grand models come with an adjustable artist bench, the others with a regular bench.

The 5′ 1″ model S is very good for a small grand, but has the usual limitations of any small piano and so is recommended only where space considerations are paramount. The 5′ 7″ model M is a full six inches longer, but costs little more than the S. Historically one of Steinway’s more popular models, it is found in living rooms across the country. Its medium size makes the tone in certain areas slightly less than perfect, but it’s an excellent home instrument.

The 5′ 10½” model L has been replaced with the model O of the same size. Model O was first produced in 1902, but discontinued in 1924 in favor of the model L. Changes over time in both engineering and musical taste, as well as a desire to better synchronize the offerings of the New York factory with Hamburg (where the model O was never abandoned), seemed to dictate a return to the O. The main difference between the two models is in the shape of the tail — the L has a squared-off tail, the O a round tail — but this can also affect the soundboard and bridges and therefore the tone.

Reintroduction of the model O followed the reintroduction of the legendary 6′ 2″ model A. First offered in 1878 and discontinued in New York in 1945, the model A first featured the radial rim bracing and one-piece bent rim construction now used in all Steinway grands. Over the years the model A has gone through several makeovers. The version being reintroduced was made in New York from 1896 to 1914 and is the same size as the model A that has been made at the Hamburg factory for more than a century. Models O and A are suitable for larger living rooms, and for many school and teaching situations.

The 6′ 10½” Steinway model B is the favorite of many piano technicians. It is the best choice for the serious pianist, recording or teaching studio, or small recital hall. The 8′ 11¾” model D, the concert grand, is the flagship of the Steinway line and the piano of choice for the overwhelming majority of concert pianists. It’s too large for most places other than the concert stage.

Steinway uses excellent materials and construction techniques in the manufacture of its grands. The rims are made from layers of maple, and the beams are of solid spruce. The keybed is of spruce, and the keys are of Bavarian spruce. The pinblock consists of seven laminations of maple with successive grain orientations of 45 and 90 degrees. The soundboard is of solid Sitka spruce, the bridges are vertically laminated of maple with a solid maple cap, and all models have duplex scaling.

Steinway Model B
Steinway Model B

It is well known that Steinway’s principal competition comes from used and rebuilt Steinways, many of which come in exotic veneers or have elaborately carved or customized “art cases.” The company has responded by expanding its product line to include modern-day versions of these collector’s items. The Crown Jewel Collection consists of the regular models in natural (non-ebonized) wood veneers, many of them exotic. They are finished in a semi-gloss and, all regular Steinway grands are also now available in polyester high-polish ebony, lacquer high-polish ebony, and polyester high-polish white.

During the early 1900s, ownership of art-case Steinways became a symbol of wealth and culture. Steinway has resumed this tradition by regularly commissioning noted furniture designers to create new art-case designs, usually around a theme. Each year sees new art-case pianos from Steinway.

Steinway & Sons Pianos

As another way of capitalizing on the popularity of older Steinways, the company also operates at its factory the world’s largest piano rebuilding facility for the restoration of older Steinways.

The underlying excellence of the Steinway musical designs and the integrity of the construction process are the hallmarks of the Steinway piano. Steinway pianos at their best have the quintessential American piano sound: a powerful bass, a resonant midrange, and a singing treble with plenty of tonal color. The construction process creates a very durable and rigid framework that also contributes to the power of its sound.

Musical and cabinet detailing, such as factory voicing and regulation, and plate and cabinet cosmetics, are reasonable, but have traditionally lagged somewhat behind the company’s European competitors in finesse. Over the last couple of years, however, the company has been making a determined effort to remedy this and by applying lessons learned from its European operations. Examples include: rounding the edges and corners of satin ebony models so they will better hold the finish and not prematurely wear through; more careful woodworking on the bottom of the piano, and applying clear lacquer to the bottom instead of painting over to hide imperfections; protecting the case and plate during stringing and other manufacturing operations so they don’t have to be touched up, often imperfectly, later on; additional time spent playing-in pianos during manufacture in order to naturally harden the hammers so they don’t need quite so much chemical hardening and voicing in the field; and other numerous details that needed fixing.

Steinway pianos require more preparation by the dealer than most pianos in their class, but as the factory preparation has improved, the work required by the dealer is less excessive. Still, some dealers are more conscientious than others, and one occasionally hears of piano buyers who “can’t find a good Steinway.” How much of this is due to inherent weaknesses in some pianos, how much to lack of dealer preparation, and how much to customer bias is impossible to tell. Perhaps all are in play.

Piano technicians who work on high-end pianos do sometimes remark that some Steinways seem to have more potential than others. Many dealers do just enough regulating and voicing to make the instruments acceptable to the average customer, but reserve the highest level of work for those situations of a high-end user who knows the differences.

Most customers for a Steinway will probably find one they like on the sales floor. However, if you are a discriminating buyer who has had trouble finding a Steinway that suits your preferences, I recommend letting the salesperson know, as precisely as you can, what you’re looking for. Give the salesperson some time to have a few instruments prepared for you before making a decision. It may also help to tactfully let the salesperson know that you are aware that other options are available to you in the market for high-end pianos.

In 2008 Steinway underwent a change in management, the first in 23 years. For the first time, the company’s top executives were recruited from its European operations rather than from America. It is speculated that this may have signaled a subtle change of direction with regard to quality issues, and may be one of the reasons that European quality standards are appearing to be more strictly applied to the American-made instruments.

Warranty: 5 years, parts and labor, to original purchaser.

See Series Of Blog Posts For More Highest Quality/Prestige Pianos

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A logo of sauter piano

Sauter Pianos

,


Six generations of Sauters have owned the Sauter piano firm since 1819, currently run by Ulrich Sauter in southern Germany. Structural and acoustical parts are made of high-quality woods, including solid Bavarian spruce soundboards and beech pinblocks. Actions are made by Renner, and Sauter makes its own keys. The keybed is reinforced with steel to prevent warping, and all pianos are fully tropicalized for humid climates. The larger verticals use an action, designed and patented by Sauter, that contains an auxiliary jack spring to aid in faster repetition. Sauter calls this the R2 Double Escapement action. (Although the term double escapement does not apply here as it has historically been used, the mechanism has some of the same effects.) Producing approximately 800 verticals and 120 grand pianos each year, their German factory is situated at the foot of the Alps.

Sauter pianos are famous for the variety of finishes and styles in which they are available, many with intricate detail and inlay work. Customizing such rare woods as yew, burl walnut, pyramid mahogany, and genuine ebony in the cabinets, as well as special engravings, are available for any customer’s desire. Sauter’s M Line of vertical pianos features exclusive cabinet detailing and built-in features such as a hygrometer to measure relative humidity.

New Masterline institutional uprights, sold directly to institutions and not through dealers, include protective sidebars, industrial-grade casters, and locking mechanisms.

Sauter Pure in Ebony Polished
Sauter Pure in Ebony Polished

Amadeus is a special-edition 6′ 1″ grand honoring the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, with styling reminiscent of that in Mozart’s time. The natural keytops are of polished bone, the sharps of rosewood with ebony caps. Only 36 are to be made, one for each year of Mozart’s life.

The company has made versions of its 48″ upright and 6′ 11″ and 7′ 6″ grands with cabinets designed by the famous European designer Peter Maly. Some recent designs include the 48″ upright Vitrea, after the Latin word for glass, with a veneer of greenish glass covering the front of the cabinet.

Sauter Vitrea
Sauter Vitrea

Ambiente is a 7′ 6″ grand that is asymmetrically curved on both the bass and treble sides. In the recent past, Sauter has won several prestigious design awards for its Peter Maly–designed pianos.

Some extremely unusual models have been created. One was the 7′ 3″ model 220 has colored lines painted on the soundboard and white inlays on the tops of the dampers as guides for musicians performing music for “prepared piano,” ultramodern music requiring the insertion of foreign objects between the strings, or the plucking or striking of strings directly by the performer.

Sauter Ambiente
Sauter Ambiente

Sauter pianos are high-quality instruments with a lush, full, singing tone, closer to an “American” sound than most other European pianos.

Warranty: 5 years, parts and labor, to original purchaser.

See Series Of Blog Posts For More Highest Quality/Prestige Pianos

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

Yamaha logo decal sticker

Yamaha Pianos

,


Yamaha was established in 1887 as a piano and reed organ manufacturer by Torakusu Yamaha. The company’s origins as a musical instrument manufacturer are still reflected today in the group’s logo—a trio of interlocking tuning forks. Yamaha grew to become the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instruments (including pianos, “silent” pianos, drums, guitars, brass, woodwinds, violins, violas, celli and vibraphones), as well as being a leading manufacturer of motorcycles, semiconductors, audio/visual, computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances, specialty metals and industrial robots.

In 2008, Yamaha made an agreement with an Austrian Bank to purchase all the shares of  the renowned piano company, Bösendorfer. Yamaha intends to continue manufacturing at the Bösendorfer facilities in Austria. Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH operates as a subsidiary of Yamaha Corp, but the businesses are run separately, maintaining Bösendorfer’s original quality.

Yamaha entered the world of electronic instruments in 1959, when it introduced the first all-transistor organ. In 1971, to fill its need, it built its own integrated circuit (IC) plant for Yamaha’s relatively low-volume demand. Jumping ahead to 1983, the introduction of the first Yamaha Clavinova, the YP-40, marked the beginning of what we now call the digital piano. Today, Yamaha’s three dozen or so models of digital piano, in many different finishes, constitute the broadest range of any manufacturer. The downside is that deciphering the variety of options—slabs, verticals, grands, stage pianos, ensemble pianos, designer digitals, hybrids—can be a bit daunting. And then there are the sub-brands: Clavinova, Modus, and Arius.

Arius by Yamaha
Arius by Yamaha

Clavinova digital pianos include the standard CLP line and the ensemble CVP line, and are available only through piano dealers. The Modus models (model numbers beginning with F, H, and R), Yamaha’s series of designer digitals, are functionally similar to the CLP line but with modern-looking cabinets. (The Modus H01 and H11 are perhaps the most striking visual designs among digital pianos.) They are now available online through authorized dealers. Arius (model numbers beginning with YDP) represents Yamaha’s entry-level line of digital verticals, with the long-popular YDP223 now replaced by the YDP181.

The CP and CP stage models are intended for situations that require a portable instrument. Available at several price points, they are suitable for a wide range of applications, from live performance to studio recording. Some of the models in this line feature Yamaha’s new Spectral Component Modeling (SCM) technology, or a combination of SCM and Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling. The model CP1 also includes the NW-Stage action.

Yamaha’s apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch are unique in the digital-piano world. The NoteStar app brings sheet music into the 21st century, and puts you in the band with real audio backing tracks that you can slow down or transpose. MusicSoft Manager lets you manage the content of your CVP Clavinova, while Repertoire Finder provides complete keyboard setups for songs you want to play.

Seven different actions are used in Yamaha digitals. In order of increasing quality, they are: Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), Graded Hammer (GH), Graded Hammer 3 (GH3), Natural Wood (NW), Natural Wood Stage (NW-Stage), Natural Wood Linear Graded Hammer (NW-LGH), and the grand piano action used in the AvantGrand models.

They also have several hybrid models including the “silent” piano and the Transacoustics.

Yamaha Pianos
See Series Of Blog Posts For More Highest Quality/Prestige Pianos

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.

A red square with the words fazoli vs steinway on it.

FAZIOLI vs STEINWAY – Which one is the best?

,


We have a penchant for wanting the best of the best. So this article does a comparison of two of the most talked-about and desired pianos on the planet. One is a familiar name to most and one is an Italian brand people may not have heard of. Which one is really the best? Are they even comparable or are consumers victims of marketing myths?

Steinway & Sons

The best known, because it’s been around since 1853, is the STEINWAY. It has held the world record in sheer name recognition over the decades. There are a network of Steinway dealers, Steinway stores, Steinway showrooms, retailers selling rebuilt Steinways, all over the world, with myriad Steinway models available, both new and used.

Grand pianos, and most especially concert grands and performance grands are the instruments on stages around the world that most people revere. Steinway baby grands have been the darlings of living rooms across the country, but their size makes the tone in certain areas less than perfect. (You can often find Steinway baby grand sales, as a result of people upgrading to a larger instrument.)

Steinway Concert Grand Model D
Steinway Concert Grand Model D

Fazioli

The lesser known competitor for this comparison is the FAZIOLI piano designed by an Italian musician and engineer, Paolo Fazioli, who in 1978 set out to create the finest-quality hand-made pianos ever built. In only a few short years, his extraordinary pianos are sought after in the most prestigious concert halls by artists, as well as by discerning private clients who are truly in the know.

“Fazioli handcrafts about 150 instruments per year.
Each Fazioli piano takes over 2 years to build.”

At the height of their success, Steinway produced 3,500 pianos annually. Side by side there is simply no comparison between Steinway and Fazioli not on any front.

Fazioli F278
Fazioli F278

To judge for yourself – we’ve prepared a comparative chart of piano facts and elements between the two brands:

FAZIOLI vs STEINWAY – Which one is the best?

What Clients Think of FAZIOLI

After Euro Pianos Naples was named a Fazioli dealer (one of only nine dealerships in the entire United States), one of our first Fazioli sales was to a client who had been arduously searching for the perfect (for him) piano. His search included forays to see and play Steinways, Yamahas, and Bosendorfer among others. For almost three years he researched, and tinkered with different dealers. When he got wind that Euro Pianos Naples had become a Fazioli dealer, he called. He had heard of the brand, and drove straight from Miami to our showroom, sat down to play. It was love at first note. He couldn’t say often enough how much he loved this spectacular instrument. It was the most responsive piano he had encountered. He purchased one on the spot.

“Compare a Steinway to a hand crafted Fazioli case side by side and you will see the difference.”

When asked how he knew within minutes that this piano was absolutely special and different, he responded that foremost, the performance of the action was noticeably superior to anything he’d tried or owned before. It was lightning fast and even. Secondly the impeccable craftsmanship, the detailing and fine woods and materials used (18K gold to prevent tarnishing) were done with an eye to artistic and mechanical perfection. The case itself was a piece of art. Compare a Steinway to a hand crafted Fazioli case side by side and you will see the difference. The wide tonal color palette and dynamic range combined with the great power of the piano made the Fazioli simply irresistible.

Another client of Euro Pianos Naples was seeking a one-of-a-kind piano for his penthouse apartment in a very upscale coastline city. His décor was the creation of a top designer. He insisted on a piano befitting his style and taste, a piano in keeping with the prestige of his successful firm, something spectacular to showcase to his guests and visiting business associates. When asked about brands only the best would do. Nothing “ordinary” or “common”, nothing mass produced. He wanted the truly unique, and it had to be of the highest quality. When he saw the limited edition M. Liminal model of the Fazioli line—the same piano favored by Herbie Hancock in his concerts—we had another love affair on our hands.

David Stabler, a reporter for the Oregoner, described a Fazioli in 2013, this way:

“This is a piano that is so responsive it can almost read minds. The key action is silicone smooth, producing cathedral whispers, purring bass and sweet treble arias. Hammers and steel melt into effortless legato.”

FAZIOLI at JUILLIARD

The Juilliard School, located in Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts in New York City, one of the world’s leading music conservatories, had been using Steinways exclusively since 1924. Sometime after 2000, much to the surprise of the piano world, Juilliard broke with tradition and purchased a coveted Fazioli. It makes sense for a music school to expand their horizons, given that the world consists of many amazing piano brands – not just Steinway. Juilliard was so pleased with their Fazioli they have since purchased additional instruments.

The Juilliard School in New York
The Juilliard School in New York

Cases in point:

– March, 2015 Chopin Competition in Miami, the first and second place winners, Eric Lu and Rachel Naomi Kudo, both chose Fazioli F278 as their performance instrument, over Steinways.

– At the Sydney Australia international piano competition in July, the three finalists, playing Mozart, all chose Fazioli as their piano of choice.

– Five out of six finalists at the 2014 Rubenstein International Piano Competition chose Fazioli over a Hamburg Steinway D. (Steinway NY was not even offered).
There is a lot of debate among pianists about Steinway versus Fazioli, and we want to treat the subject fairly. Many people still prefer Steinway, and that’s understandable with a history of 300 years versus 30 years.

Fazioli pianos retain their status and desirability. Because only 150 are available annually, Fazioli will never saturate the market.

Browse our selection of FAZIOLI pianos.

View Fazioli Pianos

About Euro Pianos Naples

Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument – The Aire. Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years.