C. Bechstein R2 Residence “Millenium” Upright Piano

Product Overview

The C. Bechstein R2 Residence “Millennium” upright piano, designed by the esteemed Volkmar Rommel, is distinguished by its compact size (44.9” / 114cm tall) and rich, resonant tone. Taking 8 months and 180 hours to build, this model captivates players with its vibrant sound and exceptional playability. Its minimalist design and clean lines make it an ideal fit for sophisticated, understated interiors.

Bechstein Residence models are celebrated for their superior craftsmanship, incorporating the intricate details and construction principles found in their grand pianos. These pianos are perfect for both discerning private owners and professional settings like universities and music studios, consistently meeting high standards. Their refined sound and smooth playability are supported by a robust structure, earning high praise from frequent players and professionals alike for their durability and outstanding performance.

Action

The action of the C. Bechstein R2 is a meticulously engineered professional system, comprising 2,000 precisely crafted components. Designed and constructed in line with C. Bechstein’s rigorous Keyboard and Action Engineering and Geometry standards, this action mechanism ensures exceptional precision and reliability.

Featuring the advanced Friction Control System (FCS), the Bechstein R2 offers a superior upright touch. Utilizing the latest engineering design technology, the FCS optimizes weight and friction coefficients, resulting in a touch that is both highly responsive and perfectly balanced. The use of the highest quality materials and ultra-precise assembly further enhances the action’s performance, providing optimum repetition speed.

This sophisticated action mechanism affords pianists unparalleled control and playability, making the C. Bechstein R2 an ideal choice for those who demand both precision and expressive capability in their performance.

Sound

The C. Bechstein R2 captivates with its perfect voice and touch, delivering a maximum sound volume and freedom of interpretation. The advanced Bridge Calibration System (BCS) features high-quality German solid red beech bridges, crafted with state-of-the-art engineering and CNC technology. This precision, accurate to a hundredth of a millimeter, ensures optimal transmission of sound and frequencies to the soundboard, resulting in clear sound projection.

Additionally, the Dynamic Touch Balancing (DTB) system provides superior precision in touch-weight distribution and spring tension for each individual tone. This meticulous design guarantees a dynamic and responsive playing experience, allowing pianists to explore a broad tonal spectrum with exceptional sustain. The Bechstein R2’s clear, resonant tone makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a powerful and nuanced acoustic experience, embodying the distinctive and sophisticated European sound that Bechstein is renowned for.

Hammers

The hammers of the C. Bechstein R2 are masterfully crafted in Germany by C. Bechstein, delivering excellent dynamic possibilities and a wealth of nuances. Each hammer features a walnut core, providing a colorful, voluminous, distinct, and precise sound. The hammers are covered with felt made in Germany from the finest New Zealand wool, produced using a proprietary traditional method to ensure unmatched quality.

This meticulous craftsmanship results in a nuanced and expressive tonal quality, significantly enhancing the overall performance of the instrument. Each hammer head is carefully built and individually voiced by skilled technicians, ensuring precision and excellence in every detail.

Soundboard

The C. Bechstein R2 boasts a soundboard crafted from mountain spruce, carefully selected from trees grown slowly at elevations of 1,000 meters and higher in the Val di Fiemme, Dolomites—similar to the prized tonewood used by Antonio Stradivari. This premium spruce, known for its exceptional acoustic properties, ensures outstanding sound and resonance.

The soundboard is fashioned as a membrane, with its projection surface precisely adjusted to the instrument’s particular acoustic assembly, akin to the craftsmanship in violin-making. This meticulous tailoring enhances the piano’s tonal richness and clarity, resulting in a robust yet intricate sound that elevates the overall performance of the Bechstein R2.

Cabinet

The cabinet and frame of the C. Bechstein R2 are meticulously constructed at the C. Bechstein production facility, comprising approximately twenty high-quality components. Crafted from the finest spruce, mahogany, pine, and sycamore maple, the cabinet showcases refined craftsmanship. The elegant high-gloss lacquer finish is achieved through sophisticated techniques involving numerous manual sanding and polishing steps, resulting in a flawless, luxurious appearance.

The specially designed cast iron frame, with its unique composition and form, minimizes its own vibrations while maximizing string energy. This ensures rapid sound transmission and significantly enhances the piano’s superior tonal quality. The high-precision coupling of the cast-iron frame with the wooden parts of the acoustic assembly further reduces the frame’s resonance, contributing to the instrument’s remarkable sound and performance.

Additionally, the R2 features agraffes that ensure precise string positioning for all 88 tones, a design element that has been integral to C. Bechstein pianos for 163 years. This attention to detail and superior construction provide excellent structural integrity and consistent tuning, embodying the exceptional richness and performance that Bechstein pianos are renowned for.

Summary

The C. Bechstein R2, a remarkable model in the C. Bechstein Residence series, exemplifies flawless sound and touch, delivering maximum volume and expressive freedom. Beyond its exceptional acoustics, this series offers stunning visual appeal, with design options including Classic, Contur, Elegance, Millennium, and Style. Whether you favor classic silhouettes, refined details, timeless forms, or contemporary award-winning aesthetics, each Residence piano is a unique creation, ideal for enhancing any interior. These attributes make the C. Bechstein Residence upright pianos unrivaled in their class, captivating all who experience these exquisite works of art that showcase the best of German piano craftsmanship.