From This:
To This:
Master Piano Works
By
Martin E. Franke
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From This:
Master Piano Works By Martin E. Franke
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Martin E. Franke, Master Piano Builder Formerly with Steinway & Sons, Berlin - Since 1969
Introduction Martin E. Franke is the only Master Piano Builder in the United States trained by Steinway & Sons, Berlin. He specializes in restoration, repair, service and sales of fine pianos and musical instruments. He resides in Gilroy, California, from where he sells and services fine pianos from San Francisco to Monterey and selected areas of the east bay. He also restores fine pianos from all over the country and makes house calls to major metropolitan areas upon request.
Steinway Haus Berlin, the old alma mater of apprenticeship.
QualityExperienceIn 1969, at age sixteen, Martin E. Franke began a 3 1/2-year apprenticeship with Steinway & Sons in Berlin, Germany under the tutelage of master piano builders Horst Filipski and Lutz Reibeholz. (Mr. Filipski was then Steinway's concert technician and tuner. Mr. Reibeholz authored the most authoritative technical reference guide used by the piano building industry in Germany). One year of his apprenticeship was spent at Steinway's Hamburg factory, where he was trained thoroughly in the production process of the various instruments. After completion of his apprenticeship with highest honors he spent nearly another two years with Steinway & Sons to broaden his scope of experience. He is thoroughly experienced in complete restorations comprising case refinishing, repair of soundboards, bridges and pin blocks, as well as restringing, replacement of hammers whippens and ivories, weighing and regulating of keys and action, tuning and voicing, and other necessary tasks to bring the instruments to performance standards. While at Steinway, he was also trained in the service and maintenance of modern harpsichords. His regular "Old World" customers included the Philharmonie Berlin, Deutsche Grammophon, the Berliner Konservatorium, the Hochschule fuer Musik und Bildende Kuenste - Berlin, the Charlottenburg Castle, Hotel Kempinski, Schlosshotel Gerhus, and the Hilton Hotel, among others. Renowned musician clientele included the Amati Ensemble playing with Jean-Pierre Rampal and Aurele Nicolet, as well as Lorin Maazel, Alexis Weissenberg, Friedrich Gulda, Marta Argerich, Geza Anda and Robert Stolz, and many more. Some of his most delightsome memories include the hosting of the annual Steinway Piano Competition and playing the pianos, harpsichords and stereos in the homes of the worlds finest musicians - impressive events for a 19-year old. The years following brought him to Vienna, Salzburg and Klagenfurt, Austria, and finally, in 1976 to the United States where he completed an advanced college education in business administration. Locally he services pianos and harpsichords from Monterey & Carmel to about the San Francisco Airport. He also restores instruments from all over the country and visits customers in major metropolitan areas, upon request. Institutional customers include major universities and colleges, as well as concert halls, churches, restaurants and most reputable piano dealers. Private customers include faculty at local universities and colleges (including Stanford University, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, Cal State Berkeley, and others) as well as private teachers, professional musicians, music lovers and students. As time permits, he restores and sells his own pianos. Please see the Products section for any instruments currently available.
Contact Information
Useful & Fun Links
A previously unknown Mozart portrait was recently discovered in the Berliner Gemaeldegalerie. The oil portrait measures 80 cm x 62 cm and was painted by Johann Georg Edlinger (1741-1819) probably during Mozart's last visit to Munich in 1790, a year before his death. It was acquired in 1934 for 650 Reichsmark. Wolfgang Seiler, a descendent of the painter thought he recognized the picture as that of Mozart and informed the Oberkustos of the Berliner Collection, Reiner Michaelis, of his suspicion. A detailed computer analysis confirmed the feeling. Moreover, historically the events leading to the portrait are plausible: the Bavarian court painter Georg Edlinger had his studio near the inn "Schwarzen Adler" in Kaufinger Strasse, Munich, where Mozart stayed seven times during his various visits to Munich, and also being a frequent guest there, knew the landlord of the inn as well as Mozart. Newest research indicates that Mozart died of a bleeding kidney due to mercury poisoning. The effects of his prescribed mercury treatment are indicated by his seemingly spongy appearance, according to the researchers. The picture is currently exhibited in the Berliner Gemaeldegalerie. From March to November 2006 it will be shown in the Salzburger Dommuseum in honor of Mozart's 250th birthday. Have a good trip! Steinway & Sons Steinway Berlin Steinway Hamburg Steinway Factory Bechstein Boesendorfer August Foerster Deutsche Oper Berlin Staatsoper Berlin Komische Oper Berlin Philharmonie Berlin Berliner Philharmoniker Wiener Staatsoper Volksoper Wien Estate Opera Prague Metropolitan Opera San Francisco Opera Opera San Jose Opera National de Paris Scala Milan Konzerthaus Berlin Mozarteum Salzburg Hochschule fuer Musik - Berlin
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The
Last Portrait of Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart.