PRESS RELEASE
CENTER FOR BEETHOVEN STUDIES ACQUIRES 1827 VIENNESE FORTEPIANO
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The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at San José State University is pleased to announce that it has acquired an original Viennese fortepiano from 1827, the year of Beethoven's death. The instrument, made by the builder Mathias Jakesch, is perfectly suited for the performance of Beethoven's middle and late period works. Eight members of the American Beethoven Society and the College of Humanities and the Arts donated the funds to acquire the instrument from the fortepiano shop of Edward E. Swenson of Trumannsburg, New York. The Jakesch instrument complements the reproduction of the 1795 Dulcken fortepiano built by Paul and Janine Poletti that was given to the Center in 1985 by Ira and Irma Brilliant.
The Jakesch fortepiano comes to the Beethoven Center in nearly perfect original condition. It is 7'7" long and 4'2" inches wide, with a keyboard range from C''' to f''''. There are six pedals, including a single and double moderator, keyboard shift, damper lift, Janissary, and bassoon. Originally this fortepiano was the property of a famous noble family in Siena. The elaborate pedal lyre contains elements from the coat of arms of the Chigi-Gori-Zondadari families. Jakesch was born around 1783 in Loschin near Brno, Moravia. He died 14 July 1828 in Vienna at age 45.
On Friday, April 20, 2001, critically-acclaimed fortepianist Malcolm Bilson performed on the fortepiano in an inaugural all-Beethoven solo recital on the fortepiano. On the program were the Bagatelles, Opus 33; Sonata in E Major, Opus 109; Sonata in G Minor, Opus 49; and Sonata A-flat Major, Opus 110.
The Jakesch fortepiano will be on display in the Beethoven Center during open hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning April 23, 2001.
For more information, contact:
William Meredith, Director
Beethoven Center
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose CA 95192-0171
(408) 924-4589