The Schimmel / Colani “Pegasus” Grand Piano is the synthesis of the creativity and artistry from world-renowned designer Professor Luigi Colani in close cooperation with Schimmel Pianos of Braunschweig, Germany.

Wilhelm Schimmel built his first piano in 1885, and four generations later the harmonious symbiosis of tradition and avant-garde exclusively enables the three-dimensional monocoque construction of the Pegasus, giving the player a closer feeling of becoming part of the music.

Professor Luigi Colani reimagined the traditional 88 keys and gave the classic grand piano a futuristic organic shape with some virtuoso upgrades. The Pegasus features a ergonomic curved keyboard ( i. e. the keys exhibit a slight curvature ) that encompasses 7 1/4 octaves, a electrically operated hydraulic lid that allows you to control the specific amount of projection desired, a fallboard “soft close” system, the original Schimmel Triplex Scale ”CAPE” precision soundboard tri-dimensionally curved and formed with a “high performance” back assembly with tension collector, a Sostenuto pedal (middle pedal), a fully-adjustable integrated black leather upholstered stool extendible in width, height, and distance to the keyboard, and a hard-wearing professional lacquer finish resulting in a grand piano of breathtaking elegance.

 

With the exception of the curved keyboard, the sound-producing portion and the keyboard-and-action assembly correspond to the Schimmel Concert Chamber CC 208 (6’ 10”) grand series. Its instrumental qualities are created by masters of their profession.

Each Schimmel keyboard/action assembly is a work of art and precision, made from over 10,000 pieces (up-rights over 8,000) carefully put together and perfectly regulated by Schimmel’s master craftsmen. The Original Schimmel keyboard provides intimate access to the instrument. But what looks so simple at first glance is indeed very complex, so Schimmel has good reason to manufacture its own keyboard-the vital link to the Schimmel keyboard/action assembly. The action is the complicated system of levers located above the keys. Its system must be in perfect balance in order to allow fine ppp and strong fff, fast repetition, and subtle sounding notes and harmonies.

The pianist’s touch determines the speed and energy of the hammer contacting and energizing the strings. Details in workmanship and material are paramount if the pianist is to enjoy playing the instrument and experience rich, expanded dynamic sonority. Schimmel keyboard/action systems are examples of exclusive workmanship, regulated to discriminating standards and ideally matched to the strung back assemblies. 

Each Schimmel grand has a strung back assembly that is a carefully balanced unit, composed of cast iron, premium wood, fine copper, strong steel, precise tuning pins... The best kept industry secrets pertain to the mystery of creating outstanding tone quality. The Schimmel strung back assembly is the very foundation for the manifestation of quality sound. Schimmel’s unique combination of science and research have enabled the company to develop its own proprietary design program-the CAPE system (Computer Assisted Piano Engineering) for the creation of a universal paradigm in piano manufacture.

The cast iron frame is the backbone of the strung back assembly, supporting the tension exerted by the strings (approx. 40,000 lbs). The plates are CAPE designed and thoroughly tested for proper reinforcement.

The back post assembly, with the integrated keybed, is the foundation and chassis for the soundboard and iron plate. The back posts stabilize and reinforce the inner rim structure. They radially converge at the tension collector which is fixed to the belly rail with a coaxial connection to the cast iron plate in the strategic area of the pinblock.

The tri-dimensionally formed and curved soundboard is the heart of the highly efficient resonance system. The diaphragmatic shape helps to conduct the energy of the vibrating strings to the most sensitive areas of the soundboard. The triplex scale is a feature of all Schimmel grands and concert verticals O 132 and S 125. The non-speaking segments of the strings are precisely engineered and tuned to reinforce specific harmonics for enhanced tonal projection, clarity, sustain, and color.

The bridges connect the strings to the soundboard. Schimmel bridges are made from select solid hard wood, capped with layers of maple veneer, and precisely shaped and installed using Schimmel’s exclusive CAPE technology. The strung back assemblies of all Schimmel grand models are based on the same design principles. They represent state-of-the-art technology in work-manship and design. As a result, Schimmel grands offer an exquisite richness and body of sound, different in volume according to the size of each instrument, but unique in tone color, with extraordinary sustain and a balanced harmony throughout the compass of the instrument.

Schimmel Pegasus Grand CC 208 P

Length 11’ 4” - Width 64” - Height 44” - Weight 1300 lbs.

Lenny Kravitz owns and played the Pegasus on his world tour. Prince - Eddie Murphy - and other noted celebrities - as well as some anonymous owners comprise the exclusive membership in this limited production of 14 pianos built. 

“The curved keyboard allows the player to perform effortlessly without having to move your body. This is like driving a high performance car for a player, or an athlete taking off leg weights and running. You can actually perform to a higher level with less effort, and far more flawless than you thought possible.”

 

A Musical Instrument Has a Soul

A Schimmel piano is unmistakable and an ideal partner for musical dialogues. It’s natural sound touches the senses. It is brought to life by the vibrating strings and soundboard. Enchantingly rich in the wide variety of its tonal facets. 

The Sources of the Good Sound

Over 230 strings serve as sound sources, each vibrating in its own way. Once set into vibration by the hammer blow, they set the bridge, and in turn the sensitive soundboard, into vibration. 

The Backbone of a Schimmel Piano

In piano manufacturing, stability is important. Every piano contains over 200 strings, each under tension in excess of 686 newtons / 154 lb., adding up to a grand total of 176,520 newtons / 20 tons. A good reason why the cast-iron plate, the backbone of a Schimmel piano, is computer optimized with the aid of the Schimmel CAPE software.

How Sound is Made Audible

It is not without good reason that a Schimmel piano has an excellent sound. Its soundboard speaks the language of music-without electronic amplification, without distortion, without exaggeration of the low and high frequencies. It shapes the vibrational energy of the strings, acts as a filter and a mixer, as an amplifier and a membrane. It vibrates in a multitude of different ways, continually changing, in this manner producing airborne sound waves which are transmitted to the ear and are experienced by our senses as the unmistakable sound patterns of a traditional piano.