ALC 0037 Chopin

In recent years, the growing interest in the study of historically informed executive practices has led many pianists to question the expressive resources of the various types of pianos prior to the ubiquitous modern standardisation of the instrument on the model devised by Steinway in the 1860s and 1870s. The widespread prejudice with regard to ancient pianos, considered imperfect and inadequate compared with those of today, is gradually giving way to the awareness of the inextricable relationship between the composers' musical inspiration and the real sound provided by their contemporary instruments. Currently various ancient piano models, both philologically restored originals and modern copies, have been recovered for use in concert halls and for recording purposes, while the number of Conservatories and Institutes of musical studies that are once more making these instruments available to students is constantly increasing.