International pianist Alberto Reyes test played the complete range of Schimmel pianos at Peregrine’s Pianos for journalist Claire Jackson. This is from her article “Speaking volumes” which subsequently appeared in the Pianist Magazine.

The piano stool moves along to the next instrument. This is the Wilhelm Schimmel, the entry-level European-made Schimmel piano. There are three models in this range (W114, W118 and W123). We are not yet fully immersed in the Braunschweig soundworld: these pianos are made in Schimmel’s Polish factory in Kalisz. However, there is a clear indication of the Schimmel tone – the soundboard is not mass-produced, like the Fridolin’s, and takes at least six months to create.

‘This one has more dynamic range [then the Fridolin]; I feel I can play with little more nuance’, says Reyes. ‘It’s less effortful in the repeated phrases.’ He tries out more Scarlatti, then adds: ‘I’m not used to playing something so shallow and light. I cannot handle it perfectly as the notes run away when I apply weight and energy. But the action is very even across the range.’ 

For the full story about Schimmel Pianos please see our page here