CHRIS MAENE GRAND, RUISELEDE, 2006

Replica of the kitchen piano 'Steinway N°1. 

One of the very first Steinway grand pianos was built in 1836, by Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg. This proto model of today's grand pianos was built in a family kitchen in Seesen, near Hannover.

In 2006, Chris Maene, was granted permission from the Steinway management to build four  replicas of this ‘kitchen piano’ (the Steinway N° 1).

Chris Maene and his team went to New York to do a profound analysis of the grand piano by making accurate measurements, digital sketches and photographical details. General Electric Company GE took X-ray photos of the inside. 

The University of Liège was involved to determine the type and age of the wood. Then, the building plan of the case and the strings was drawn in the Chris Maene workshop in Ruiselede. From then on, the actual construction of the replica could start. In the autumn of 2006, Abdel Rahman El Bacha officially inaugurated the instrument in the Concertgebouw in Bruges.

Film maker Bram Crols intensively followed the building process and made a remarkable documentary about it – “Building A Legend”. It shows how Chris Maene travels to New York, Germany and the United Kingdom to study the instrument and to rebuild it, whilst preserving the original sound.

For more information, see Folder Steinway n°1

Technical data:

• Inscription: Henri Engelhard STEINWEG, Seesen 1836, Chris Maene Ruiselede 2006
• Compass: 6 octaves (FF-f'''')
• Keyboard: naturals in bone, sharps in ebony
• Pedals: 3: controlling keyboard shift - moderator - damping
• Dimensions: L 212 cm / W 121 cm
• Case: cuban mahogany, maple inlay
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 61 255
• Condition: perfect playing condition
• Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede