John Broadwood Square Piano 47847
In 2008 I found a rather dilapidated Square Piano on Freecycle, quite by chance. It was destined for the tip so I rescued it and, with help from Steve Gavin, restored it to full working condition and full concert pitch which is rare for a piano of this era. Below is a gallery of the key stages of restoration.
Made in 1837 by John Broadwood & Sons, London, it has obviously had a chequered history and was not in a happy state with one floppy leg, pedal stripped of its thread and, sporting the wrong type of strings. The moths had been busy, but there was no sign of woodworm and there was (almost) nothing missing.
I carried our extensive research on this piano, and of Square Piano's in general, finding, among other facts, that it is similar to the one that Elgar composed most of his work on.
I wonder what tales it could tell?
It was sold in 2019 to a private collector in Rome, Italy.
I have prepared an hour long illustrated talk entitled 'The Square Piano' exploring the history of this type of instrument which were prevalent in the UK between 1766 and 1866, followed by a description of the restoration project.
Made in 1837 by John Broadwood & Sons, London, it has obviously had a chequered history and was not in a happy state with one floppy leg, pedal stripped of its thread and, sporting the wrong type of strings. The moths had been busy, but there was no sign of woodworm and there was (almost) nothing missing.
I carried our extensive research on this piano, and of Square Piano's in general, finding, among other facts, that it is similar to the one that Elgar composed most of his work on.
I wonder what tales it could tell?
It was sold in 2019 to a private collector in Rome, Italy.
I have prepared an hour long illustrated talk entitled 'The Square Piano' exploring the history of this type of instrument which were prevalent in the UK between 1766 and 1866, followed by a description of the restoration project.
| history_of_j_brooadwood_piano_no_47847.nopics.pdf |