A 7’3” Sauter Omega grand piano made a magnificent debut as a visual exhibit as well as an artistic musical instrument at the 32nd New York City ArtExpo held March 2010. Following a chance-meeting between Noble Art Pianos President Peter Becker, partner, Elizabeth Campbell, and artist Dean Loucks the trio arranged for Loucks to apply his unique artistic talent to a Sauter piano supplied by Noble Art Pianos.  Dean Loucks selected the case of an Omega grand as the canvas of his latest creation.  Loucks is a specialist in large-scale paintings who works in exacting detail with a variety of tools including paint guns, airbrushes, and razor blades. Describing his style as “the art of removal”, Loucks applies various thinners to the layers of paint. The astonishingly beautiful result is a stunning piece of art that demonstrates the artist’s flexibility and adventurous approach to art.

According to Becker “Painting on pianos is not new in itself—it has been done for over 100 years, but Dean Loucks’ work is ‘now’, new, contemporary and tasteful,” He arranged delivery of the Sauter piano to Loucks’ studio in Elkhart, Indiana and a complex process of taking the piano apart, painting it and putting it back together again ensued—with the added pressure of having the piano completed by the show date, and in perfect condition to be played for performance and promotional purposes.  “The task was daunting, but well-within our scope of work,” said Loucks, “We are used to deadlines and I am so enthused about the show—I have it planned to perfection—The New York ArtExpo has been my focus and obsession!  I have been able to expand the scope of my work because of this opportunity.”While the instrument stood out as a magnificent showcase for contemporary art, its musicality brought real magnetism to the twenty-five thousand attendees.  Various professional and amateur pianists performed on the instrument.  The real musical possibilities of the Sauter Omega came through when recording artist Benita Mushulam; Grammy Nominee and worldwide acclaimed soloist Allison Brewster Franzetti; and the 2010 Latin Grammy winner and composer Carlos Franzetti performed on the Sauter Omega.  Full of powerful dynamics, it is also a sensitive and charming instrument.  Its soundboard, made from the finest European spruce, facilitated richvariations in sound. The Omega responded to the slightest touch, allowing the pianists sensitive expressions to be realized. The hammers, which were carefully selected and voiced by experts, packed loads of dynamism and facilitated the very finest nuances in sound and brilliant tones.

The piano is now displayed in the showroom of Noble Art Pianos in Easton, Pennsylvania.Read More >>> 

Laredo, Texas. Last evening, June 8th’ 08.

Last evening we enjoyed a piano recital at the beautiful Mann residence.  Mrs. Mann graciously agreed to host the recital making available her Sauter Amadeus Edition Delta.  Maestro Sergio Pena of Nuevo-Laredo, Mexico, presented a didactic program introducing the audience to the intricacies of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations.  These are the only variations Bach ever wrote as he had thought that the variation format of composition was unrewarding.  But when called upon to write them, he transformed the format in a way no other composer has since dared to attempt.

Indeed few pianists today present the Goldberg Variations to a live audience.  This is true to such an extent that Dr. Ray Keck, president of Texas A & M International University, did a double-take when his receptionist mentioned the calendar appointment to him and asked her, “Did you say The Goldberg Variations?”  She called back to confirm, and we assured her that yes, indeed, the Goldberg Variations would be presented in their entirety.

Maestro Pena presented the variations in sets of ten by memory, pausing to introduce interesting historical anecdotes related to the composition and to discuss interpretational differences between the harpsichord and the piano demonstrating how those differences would sound.  He drew exquisite pianissimos and joyous fortissimos from the responsive instrument.  He demonstrated how the piano afforded the opportunity to dynamically layer the various voices in the canons and how to bring out the singing-line in the variations.

We relaxed as the engrossing intricacies of Bach’s superlative music washed over us while a distant thunderstorm softly rumbled and a light rain cleared the air.  To hear the Goldberg Variations presented live is an experience that is difficult to adequately express.  It takes you to a rare meditative state.  Dr. Keck requested that we hear variation 24 again commenting how Bach had achieved there what the impressionists had only dreamed of achieving.

Maestro Pena closed the concert with the Chopin E flat Major Nocturne with a very delicate pianissimo melody over even softer harp-like harmonies.  The Nocturne finished on a triumphant forte chord. 

The artist and audience alike commented on how wonderful the instrument sounded.  A perfect tuning and the artist’s touch displayed the Sauter lush-singing-tone to great advantage.  The presence of Sauter Pianos in Laredo has opened up new venues for great music-making.

Notes:  Mr. Andrew Anderson is the owner of Artisan Pianos and the Authorized Sauter Dealer for San Antonio, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo.

Photo 1. : Sauter Model Amadeus 6′1”, Mrs. Mann, Sauter Owner, Mr. Strmec - Vice President Sauter US Operations,  Photo 2.: Enthusiastic music connoisseurs enjoying an evening at the Mann Mansion

The International Contemporary Furniture (ICFF) will be opening its doors from May 17. to May 20.,  2008 in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. The ICFF is North America’s  premier event for contemporary design and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. During the four days 21,000 designers, architects, retailers, facility managers, wholesalers, store design professionals,  and hotel and restaurant designers will get a glimpse -spread across 145,000 sqf- of the cutting edge of modern design. Of course, Sauter Piano Company - the leader in modern design pianos- will be also represented.

Under the initiative of the Authorized Sauter Dealer for New York, Klavierhaus Inc., Sauter Piano Company will exhibit some of its most recognized design instruments created by Peter Maly. “Our customers want to have beautiful instruments of highest quality in their homes”, says Sujatri Reisinger, owner of Klavierhaus and its service director. “The most fascinating part is that although Sauter Piano Company is the world’s oldest piano manufacturer, founded in 1819, and steeped in tradition-the company has been the leader in piano design and was the first one to think in new and modern ways about the aesthetics of the piano.” adds Gabor Reisinger, owner and General Manager of Klavierhaus, Inc..

Sauter Pianos had always distinguished themselves through special aesthetics which were developed in-house. In the early 1990ies Sauter Piano Company and European designer star, Peter Maly, commenced working together. Since then half a dozen designer uprights and two Maly grand pianos were presented to the public. The Peter Maly design instruments received the Good Design Award in the United States and the Red Dot Award in Europe but most importantly customers across the globe  rewarded the company’s vision. Thus designer instruments have become an integral part of the Sauter factory.

In order to adequately present the instruments Sauter USA teamed up with world reknown modern furniture manufacturer Lignet Roset with whom star designer Peter Maly had also closely worked together. The booth will feature Rive Droit chairs as well as the Offrande coffee table in gold. The highlight of the Sauter booth will be the presentation of the Ambiente - a 7′6” semi-concert grand. This grand piano was shown in January of 2008 for the first time to the American public and is the latest addition to Sauter’s Peter Maly design line. The show is closed to the general public for the first three days but open to anyone who would like to come on May 20th.

Notes:

Photo 1: Sauter Model Ambiente 7′6”- Semi-Concert Grand, Photo 2: Sauter Model Imago Upright, Photo 3: Offrande- Lignet Roset Table - part of the Sauter Booth, courtesy Lignet Roset USA, Photo 4: Rive Droit, courtesy Lignet Roset USA.

www.klavierhaus.com, www.ligne-roset-usa.com, www.sauter-pianos.de

” When I design a piece of furniture I always consider right away the space it will be placed in. Even a first sketch is never an isolated idea but always part of a complete vision “. This statement by Peter Maly summarizes his approach to design.

Today Peter Maly is considered the icon of European design- but his origins are humble. His family lives in North Bohemia, part of the Czech Republic, and after World War II moves to the rural area of Hessen, North Germany. Life is simple but joyful. It is there that young Peter discovers his two life passions: nature and drawing. A teacher who notices that Peter is almost constantly drawing, sketching, and drafting  recognizes his gift and suggests to him to turn his talent into a profession. Peter chooses a woodworking and carpentry apprenticeship, and  subsequently applies at the University of Detmold for Interior Design. He finishes his studies at 24 and applies for a position at the magazine “Schoener Wohnen” (Beautiful Living). This is not only the first magazine that focuses solely on interior decorating in post World War II Germany but also becomes the leading think tank for European design and aesthetics. The young, shy duckling from the countryside turns into the confident designer Peter Maly. Peter is appointed Art Director at “Schoener Wohnen”. For most anyone that would be the peak of a career but Peter quits his job in 1971 and focuses on his “calling”. No better words than his can describe what he feels:

“Stripping of excess, simplifying, letting something speak for itself- without an attitude- this Japanese philosophy has guided my entire creative life”. Peter Maly.

Thus Peter Maly brings together Japanese simplicity with German love for clarity and effectiveness. In the early eighties Peter’s work on the seating arrangements and chairs named “Zyklus”  puts him on the stage of the world’s leading designers.  A little later he creates the “Maly-Bed” for Ligne Roset. Even after 25 years it is the most sold bed in its category and a one of the most important contributions to modern design. There are dozens of designs that follow and become classics.

Peter’s work expands as he creates design for prestigious companies like Thonet, Interluebke, Cor, Behr, Conmoto and others. His love for the geometric simplicity denotes his work. However, he is not a decorateur - in his own homes he always needs to find the right spot for each piece that he invites into his personal life. To move furniture or reorganize is not part of his thinking and aesthetic feeling. When he wants to change his environment, Peter moves to a new home. And he has done that quite often.

It was not until the mid-nineties that Peter Maly and Sauter Piano Company meet. Hans Sauter - leader and fifth generation owner of the factory- had  dared to bring out designer uprights in the early sixties that found a warm welcome in Central Europe. We wanted to build on this tradition of going new paths. While the previous designs were “home-made” this time we looked outside. One of the executive managers had seen designs by Peter Maly and had been deeply impressed. It was decided to invite Peter Maly over. On the phone- he carefully listened to the ideas that we presented him. His answer was brief:” Yes - I know your company well. But I am very busy now. I will contact you in a little while”. We thought that this was his polite way of saying thanks, but no thanks. About six months later Peter called and said that he had his first idea and wanted to come by and talk it over. 

Today Peter Maly is retired. He continues to work for only two companies commercially. And we are glad to be one of them.

Notes:

Photo 1. Peter Maly, Photo 2. Maly Bed (Lignet Roset), Photo 3. Axis Sofa (House of European Design),  Photo 4. Zyklus Seat (Cor), Photo 5. Rondo (Sauter Piano Company)

 For a full review of Peter Maly Design Pianos please visit: http://www.sauter-pianos.de/english/instruments.html

Recently I had the chance to talk to one of our customers from New Jersey. He is not only a very influential real estate developer in New Jersey but also the owner of a beautiful Sauter Grand Piano. His mansion is adorned with a Sauter Vivace 6′9”. 

The owner envisioned a house that was open to the landscape, a home that would not only feel warm and welcoming from the inside and the outside but also bring the outdoors in.

 The house’s design and orientation incorporate many corners and wide windows to take advantage of the 270-degree of natural views. There are no flat ceilings, instead angles, soffits, and niches lend a sculptural quality to the interiors. The house includes five fireplaces, three of which emanate from a large central chimney.

Natural cherry and maple woods, Tennessee crab orchard stone, and African slate in autumnal colors give the interiors modern warmth. The central piece of the living room is a Sauter Vivace 6′9”. Part house, part gallery, the contemporary design accomodates an extensive art collection and a growing family.