Year built: 1900
Serial no.: 80771
Action: double repetition action
Length: 2.60 m

Erard made significant contributions to the development of piano making and had its most successful period in the first half of the 19th century. Like Broadwood and Bösendorfer, Erard also relied on traditional construction until the end of the 19th century and did not follow the mainstream of piano making set largely by Steinway. As a result, instruments from this period have come down to us that followed the Romantic school and allow unique sounds. This Erard grand piano, designated “3bis Nouveau modèle, extra-grand de Concert, 7 octaves 1/2 du sol à l’ut (90 keys), 2m60, Palissandre”, is not only something very special in its construction. Its provenance is outstanding and should delight any collector and music lover. At the time, the grand piano was selected at Erard by Francis Planté for the reigning Queen of Spain (1885–1902, Maria Christina of Austria) and served as a concert instrument in the “Salón de Música” of the Palacio Real in Madrid – the music salon of the Royal Palace in Madrid. The well-preserved instrument needs a restoration.