C. Bechstein Residence | R 2 Millenium

The C. Bechstein Residence R 2 Millenium upright piano, designed by Volkmar Rommel, features an impressive and unique combination of compactness and sonorous tone. You will be delighted by its rich colours and wonderful playability. The visual clarity and reduced lines are perfect for an interior that tends to favour understatement.

Simply world-class in the art of building artisan-made pianos

The C. Bechstein Residence models are simply world-class when it comes to the art of building artisan-made pianos. That’s because in each of these individual pieces, the principles of C. Bechstein grand-piano construction are integrated in many fine details.

Whether for private use by real piano connoisseurs or professional use at universities or in music studios, a piano from the Residence range will satisfy all of your demands. The subtlety in sound and playability is also rooted in the stable architecture: due to their absolute resilience, Residence pianos are truly appreciated by frequent private players and professionals alike.

Besides the beauty of the sound, Residence pianos also radiate visual beauty with the design variants Classic, Contur, Elegance, Millenium and Style. Whether classic silhouettes or elegant details, timeless shapes or modern, award-winning design, each of these pianos is unique and allows you to choose the ideal model to suit your interior.

All these features make C. Bechstein Residence upright pianos the best of their kind. You cannot fail to be enchanted by these complete works of art that represent the finest in German piano design!

*Please note that the sizes of the four models may not be available for all variations of the cabinet. Feel free to contact us to discover the available options.

Discover the next revolution in acoustic piano resonance. AURES AR2 upright and grand piano instruments combine specially developed acoustic mute features with leading digital technologies and an advanced soundboard speaker system. Pianists can enjoy the pleasure of playing a traditional acoustic piano, while taking advantage of selectable instrument sounds, Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable sound level control.

Specifications of the AURES models

■ Based on professional Kawai upright/grand acoustic pianos
■ Advanced acoustic muting systems for silent play
■ Unique soundboard loudspeaker system developed with MPAs amplifiers
■ High-level multi-channel digital piano sound with SK-EX Rendering
■ Flexible Virtual Technician function with 21 adjustable parameters
■ High-end audio processing and amplification technology for headphones
■ Integrated Bluetooth® MIDI and Audio wireless connectivity
■ Dedicated PianoRemote app for control on iOS and Android platforms.

Touch

The GP Touch muting system (exclusively available for the GP type of piano)

The latest AURES AR2 grand pianos feature Kawai's all-new GP Touch mute system. This technology features a vastly improved hammer stop rail system, capable of precisely stopping the action's hammer motion immediately before it strikes the strings, without the need for special adjustments to escapement position or timing.

This unique design allows pianists to play AURES AR2 grand pianos with the same level of effortless fluidity as their standard acoustic counterparts, whether in normal or muted playing mode, while enjoying a wide range of practical and inspiring digital features.

Unlike conventional mute systems that stop the hammer rod at a single position, the AURES AR2's GP Touch mute system places the stop rail at various points along the keyboard, as close as possible to the hammers, guaranteeing a firm, precise stop just before the hammers strike the strings. Due to the GP Touch mute system's firm, precise stopping capabilities, it is no longer necessary to regulate a shallow escape point for the action. As a result, pianists can enjoy exactly the same grand piano touch in both normal and muted playing modes.

Integrated hammer detection system

The precise movements of the hammers on the AURES AR2 pianos are measured using Kawai's Integrated Hammer Sensing System (IHSS), which utilizes high-resolution non-contact optical sensors to provide superior accuracy compared to traditional key-based sensor systems. This technology ensures precise and reliable hammer detection for a more authentic playing experience.

This more advanced approach more faithfully reproduces the mechanical movement of upright and grand piano actions, allowing the full range of dynamics to be expressed by the instrument's powerful digital piano sound engine with natural fluidity.

The sound

Grand concert piano Shigeru Kawai SK-EX

The Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert piano was conceived as the next step in the evolution of the art of piano playing. Earning a reputation as "Japan's premier piano", it graces the stages of concert halls and musical institutions around the world, receiving universal acclaim for its exceptional clarity and dynamic range. The SK-EX has been a frequent choice of professional pianists at prestigious events such as the Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Rubinstein International Piano Competitions. With its magnificent tone and incredibly responsive touch, the SK-EX can best be described in one word - unsurpassed.

The flagship digital piano sound engine

AURES AR2 instruments feature Kawai's latest digital piano sound technologies from the highly regarded Concert Artist and Novus product lines. When playing with headphones or with the AURES mode active, pianists can enjoy the magnificent sound of the flagship Shigeru Kawai SK-EX full grand concert piano, beautifully reproduced thanks to the advanced SK-EX Rendering sound engine.

Multi-channel sampling

The SK-EX Rendering engine uses multi-channel sampling to capture the sound from various points of the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand piano. This sophisticated sampling technique helps recreate the full and nuanced acoustic characteristics of the instrument, providing a highly realistic and expressive piano playing experience.

This modern technique not only makes it possible to record and reproduce a wider range of tonal characteristics, but also enhances the connection felt between the keyboard and the piano sound, resulting in a more lively and authentic response to changes in dynamics.

Complete resonance modeling

This naturally expressive Shigeru Kawai sound is further enhanced by resonance algorithms that model the complex tonal interactions produced by the strings and various other parts of an acoustic piano.

The SK-EX Rendering produces resonances for the sustain pedal and all 88 keys progressively, allowing the sound of the AURES AR2 digital piano to behave exactly like an acoustic piano. This progressive resonance modeling adds to the realism and authenticity of the playing experience, making it feel as if you are playing a traditional acoustic piano.

Speaker system on the soundboard

In addition to soundproofing and digital sound features, AURES AR2 instruments are also equipped with the latest version of Kawai's advanced soundboard speaker system. This innovative technology uses four high-performance transducers strategically placed on the solid spruce soundboard of the upright or grand piano. These transducers route the sound generated digitally by the AURES AR2 instrument through the large wooden soundboard, resulting in a natural acoustic tone that is more extended than that produced by traditional cone speakers.

Pianists can take advantage of the flexibility and convenience offered by a digital piano, such as the ability to select a wide range of different instrument sounds, record and replay their performance, or freely adjust the volume level to avoid disturbing their loved ones - all while continuing to play with the exceptional Millennium III upright or grand piano keyboard actions of the AURES AR2.

The hammers

Mahogany wood core and double felt hammers secured with T-shaped staples.

Mahogany hammerblocks are lightweight and extremely responsive. Found only on the finest pianos, mahogany is used for the hammer moldings on the entire range of K-Series professional upright pianos. All K-Series hammers are stapled in a T-shape to preserve their shape, and feature an additional inner layer of felt to support the creation of exceptional sound.

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale

Partial (Upper) Duplex Scale" is a sophisticated feature built into the piano's design to enhance harmonics in the treble range, infusing the tone with brilliance and richness. By allowing specific harmonics to resonate freely and interact with the vibrating main part of the strings, this technology optimizes the harmonic series, delivering a more vibrant, resonant sound. High notes retain their clarity and purity while being enriched with a luxurious warmth, offering pianists a wider palette of tonal colors to explore and express their artistry. This extraordinary addition elevates the piano musical experience, captivating listeners with its expressive and spellbinding qualities.

Weight & dimensions

Touch

Exceptional touch, high reliability

Tone

FIRST-STATE SOLID SOUNDBOARD

A European style and design

MODERNE STYLE, CHEAP PRICE

Weight & dimensions

A dream piano

The C. Bechstein Concert 8: an incomparable professional piano. C. Bechstein upright pianos have been renowned for their legendary tone, touch, and durability for over 160 years.

The C. Bechstein Concert 8 is the epitome of professional pianos and surpasses ordinary grand pianos. Its acoustic ensemble, volume, colourful tone, and precise action command the admiration of discerning music lovers who are accustomed to the touch and sound volume of grand pianos.

Nearly a grand, hand-made in Germany

The acoustic ensemble of the C. Bechstein Concert 8 professional piano is comparable to that of the grand pianos also offered in the Masterpiece class. Among the shared characteristics of the Concert 8 and its "big brothers" are refined dynamics, colourful and progressively nuanced tone, as well as optimized sound development. With its particularly singing and enduring sound, this professional piano has already captivated great musicians such as the Beatles, Sir Simon Rattle, and Simon & Garfunkel, who have made it their preferred working instrument. Don't hesitate to ask our advisors to explain the details that make this piano's exceptional quality, including the use of fine woods for its components. You can also visit the C. Bechstein production site, where you will be fascinated by witnessing the craftsmanship behind the Masterpiece class instruments, especially this "king of upright pianos."

• The Fridolin instruments are part of the Schimmel brand family. This ensures that you are purchasing a valuable instrument for which Schimmel vouches with its name!
• All Fridolin instruments are built by Schimmel. With over 130 years of excellence in piano manufacturing, we ensure that Fridolin pianos also offer the soul of a German piano in terms of sound and touch.
• All Fridolin instruments are designed by Schimmel. Schimmel has won numerous design awards such as the Red Dot Design Award, the Good Design Award, or nominations for the German Design Award. Fridolin instruments have a chic and elegant appearance.
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• All Fridolin instruments are made from carefully selected materials, such as German hammer felt or Rösslau strings, to guarantee you the purchase of a valuable instrument.
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