Absolute Piano Erard Upright: History, Tone, and Value The name Erard evokes the golden age of European piano manufacturing. While Sebastien Erard is famous for his grand pianos and harp innovations, Erard upright pianos represent a pinnacle of nineteenth and early twentieth-century engineering. These instruments blend distinctive French aesthetics with innovative mechanics. The History of Erard Uprights
Sebastien Erard founded his firm in Paris in 1777, quickly gaining patronage from French royalty like Marie Antoinette. Erard is celebrated for inventing the double-escapement action for grand pianos in 1821, a mechanism that revolutionized repetition speed and remains the foundation of modern grand actions.
However, Erard’s innovation was not limited to grand pianos. As the European middle class expanded throughout the 1800s, demand grew for smaller instruments. Erard responded by applying their rigorous engineering standards to the upright form. Key historical milestones for Erard uprights include:
The Oblique Mechanism: Erard popularized the “oblique” or diagonally-strung upright piano in the early-to-mid 1800s. This layout allowed for longer bass strings within a shorter cabinet, drastically improving sound quality before over-strung (cross-strung) scales became the industry standard.
Unique Action Designs: Erard developed specialized actions for their uprights. Some models used standard sticker actions, while others utilized proprietary mechanisms designed to mimic the responsive touch of their grand pianos.
Artistic Cabinetry: Built as status symbols for Parisian salons, Erard uprights frequently featured exquisite cabinetry. They utilized premium veneers like rosewood, burr walnut, and mahogany, often embellished with brass inlays, marquetry, or ornate candleholders.
Production continued in Paris and London well into the 20th century. In 1960, Erard merged with Gaveau, and the combined company was later absorbed by Schimmel. True, historic Erard uprights remain tied to the original French and English factories. The Distinctive Erard Tone and Touch
An Erard upright does not sound like a modern Yamaha or Steinway. It possesses a distinct, historical sound profile that appeals to connoisseurs of antique pianos. The Sound Profile
Clarity and Separation: The tonal philosophy of Erard focused on clarity. Instead of a massive wall of blended sound, Erard uprights offer distinct separation between registers. The bass is clean rather than muddy, the mid-range is warm, and the treble has a bell-like, silvery quality.
Chamber-Like Intimacy: These pianos were voiced for salons and homes, not massive concert halls. The tone is delicate, transparent, and highly expressive, making it perfectly suited for Romantic-era repertoire by Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt (both of whom famously played Erard instruments).
Because Erard experimented with various action designs, the touch can vary significantly between models. Well-maintained Erard upright actions are generally light and responsive, though they may feel less deep or heavy than a modern, standardized Renner action. Evaluating Market Value
Determining the value of an Erard upright requires balancing its historical significance against its practical musical utility. Unlike grand pianos, upright pianos generally command lower market prices, but Erard is a notable exception for collectors. What Drives the Value?
Cabinetry and Aesthetics: Ornate, art-case Erard uprights (e.g., Louis XV or Art Nouveau styles with rare wood veneers and brass accents) often hold significant value as high-end furniture and antiques, even if they are not entirely playable.
Mechanical Condition: Pianos that have been professionally restored with historically accurate parts command premium prices. Conversely, an unrestored, neglected Erard from the late 1800s often holds little to no monetary value due to the prohibitive cost of restoration.
Straight-Strung vs. Over-Strung: Later Erard uprights (from the late 1890s through the 1920s) that feature full iron frames and modern over-stringing are more stable and musically viable today, making them more attractive to everyday players. Approximate Market Value Ranges
Unrestored / “As-Is” Condition (\(0 – \)1,500): Many Erard uprights found in homes have cracked soundboards, worn action felt, and loose tuning pins. They require tens of thousands of dollars in restoration, rendering their baseline commercial value very low.
Good Original / Lightly Refurbished (\(1,500 – \)5,000): Instruments that are visually stunning and still hold a tune, making them functional as light practice instruments and beautiful accent pieces.
Fully Restored / Art-Case Models (\(5,000 – \)15,000+): Professionally rebuilt Erard uprights featuring rare wood cabinets, fully functioning actions, and pristine soundboards can reach premium prices among collectors and period-instrument enthusiasts. Final Thoughts
The Erard upright piano is a piece of living musical history. While it requires dedicated upkeep and a specialized technician to maintain, it rewards the owner with an authentic nineteenth-century touch, a crystalline tone, and an elegant visual aesthetic that modern mass-produced pianos simply cannot replicate.
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