Erard upright and grand pianos are world-famous for their high quality workmanship and long-standing tradition. Erard is one of the oldest brands producing these instruments and has enjoyed a high reputation among the most famous composers since its inception.
The history of the Erard brand dates back to the second half of the 18th century, when Sébastien Erard, born in Strasbourg, set up his own workshop where he constructed his first pianoforte in 1777. Thanks to his craftsmanship and innovative techniques, his name quickly became famous among artists and French nobility. During the French Revolution, he fled to London, where he opened a new workshop. The last Erard piano were made in 1988.
Salle Erard – what is it?
There is also a special place that can be associated with the name Erard – the Salle Erard. This is a music hall located in Paris. The venue originally belonged to the Erard family and was famous for its good acoustics suitable for chamber music concerts. Many famous composers have performed at the venue including: Jacques Ibert and Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
The exceptional achievements of the Erard brand
During his career, Sébastien Erard patented the double mechanism harp, as well as the double repetition mechanism in upright and grand pianos. His modern mechanism, whereby the keys always activate the hammers and strike the strings, is a patent that allowed musicians to combine speed and repetition in a subtle way. In today’s pianos, it is this patent that is the current standard.
When was my Erard piano produced?
For the answer to this question, be sure to check the serial number of your instrument and then locate it within the date range below:
How much does an Erard upright or grand piano cost and is it worth buying?
Prices for second-hand Erard grand pianos are in the region of $ 2,000-30,000. These prices will vary depending on the model of the instrument and where it is purchased. In the case of upright pianos, these costs are considerably lower. Erard piano in good condition can be purchased from around $ 1,000. The price of an Erard piano depends not only on the model, but also on the condition of the instrument in question. However, it is worth remembering that Erard grand and upright pianos are sturdy and solid instruments, so you do not have to worry particularly about their quality when buying used models.