The Chopin Project (part 1 of 2)
Official trailer for The Chopin Project
Legacy and Excellence
In collaboration with the Royal Danish Academy of Music, PH Pianos presents the Chopin Project. Performed on two newly handcrafted instruments, this project celebrates the design of Poul Henningsen’s most imaginative works: the PH Pianos.
We invited 12 pianists to perform 12 pieces to showcase the virtuosic capabilities of these stunning instruments.
These excellent musicians captivated us with their colorful, expressive and virtuosic playing. Each piece of music demonstrates the potential and beauty of these instruments. Each one of the twelve pieces introduces the instruments’ vast range of tonal capabilities: bright, warm, fiery, consoling, tempestuous, tender, grieving, exuberance, and more.
PH Pianos are truly an expression of legacy and excellence. With their genuine Danish-design history and top-quality piano action, these instruments demonstrate what is possible when quality and daring, considered design combine to be so much more than just a piano.
Follow the release of this exciting project- and discover the beauty of PH Pianos.
The Pianos
Each piece has been recorded on either the PH Bow Grand or the PH Grand Piano.
Handmade by our artisanal craftspeople in Europe, from European materials, both instruments were made to be played and enjoyed as sculptural works of art.
We have the sole license to produce and market these beautiful instruments, designed by the renowned Danish designer Poul Henningsen. Their design legacy combines with the innovations of our highest quality workmanship and materials, in these stunning instruments.
F. Chopin: Etude in A-Flat Major, Op. 25 No. 1 “Aeolian Harp”
This delicate piano piece by Frederic Chopin is performed by Zelin Bu on the PH Bow Grand Piano, recorded live in our showroom in Copenhagen. The piece’s nickname refers to a mythological instrument that played the most beautiful music without ever being touched by mortals- and the sublime, peaceful quality of this piece is captivating and truly special.
Bu comments, “It is a very beautiful etude and requires the pianist to have acute hearing… Of course some places need to more crescendo and have more feeling but the overall feeling of this etude is flowing and calm. It doesn't need to add so many extra movements in it.”
In this live performance, Bu skillfully shapes the long phrases made of beautiful arpeggiated chords. He achieves a tone that is both effortless and yet full of energy.
F. Chopin: Etude in A-Flat Major, Op. 25 No. 1 “Aeolian Harp” performed by Zelin Bu on the PH Bow Grand Piano
F. Chopin: Etude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 25 No. 7
The warmth and melancholy of this soulful piece is beautifully captured in this live recording by pianist Kendzsi Tanaka. Many of Chopin’s famous piano etudes demonstrate fast and virtuosic technical “fireworks”, but this piece instead challenges the player to perform long phrases in the left hand in a musically demanding expanded piece.
Sustained harmonies in the right hand are challenging to balance, but when done well they contribute a fantastic mood to the music. Performed in the Copenhagen showroom of PH Pianos, on the PH Grand Piano.
F. Chopin: Etude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 25 No. 7 performed by Kendzsi Tanaka on the PH Grand Piano
F. Chopin: Etude in G-Sharp Minor, Op. 25 No. 6 “Thirds”
Sometimes called the “Doubled Thirds” etude, this incredibly difficult piano piece is a study by Frederic Chopin that requires true virtuosity from the performer. Virtuosic passages form a sweeping melody and they are delivered with musical integrity and demonstrating his excellent technical skills by pianist, Krystian Riisager.
The music features thirds trilling at very fast speeds, which develop into beautifully shaped phrases and thrilling textures that are both delicately and masterfully performed in this performance. Recorded in a live performance at PH Pianos in Copenhagen on the PH Grand Piano.
F. Chopin: Etude in G-Sharp Minor, Op. 25 No. 6 “Thirds” performed by Kristian Riisager on PH Grand Piano
F. Chopin: Etude in A-Flat Major, Op. 10 No. 4
Pianist Hazel Friedman performs Chopin’s Etude Op. 10 no. 4 on the PH Grand Piano, designed by Danish icon Poul Henningsen in 1930 and now made by PH Pianos. This live recording, from the PH Pianos showroom in Copenhagen, captures the lively, exhilirating and fiery nature of the piece.
Full of challenging passages and surprising turns, Friedman’s playing is commanding and characterful, and certainly delivers the qualities that earned this piece a nickname of “Torrent.”
F. Chopin: Etude in A-Flat Major, Op. 10 No. 4 performed by Hazel Friedman on PH Grand Piano
F. Chopin: Etude in G-Flat Major, Op. 10 No. 5
Sometimes referred to as the “Black Keys” etude, this piano piece by Frederic Chopin is the fastest of his set of 12. Its nickname comes from the fact that the piece is played entirely (except for a single note) on the black keys of the piano- a very unusual circumstance in piano music. Its sparkling triplet figuration is both challenging and fun to play.
This piece is performed live by pianist Coco Wu at the PH Pianos showroom in Copenhagen. Her performance, full of brilliant energy, creates an exciting and captivating atmosphere that is exciting from start to finish.
F. Chopin: Etude in G-Flat Major, Op. 10 No. 5 performed by Coco Wu on PH Bow Grand Piano
F. Chopin: Etude in C Major, Op. 10 No. 1
Also called the “Waterfall” etude, Frederic Chopin’s first concert etude for piano might also be his most difficult. Rippling chord progressions in the right hand are accompanied by resounding bass “bell tones,” and are masterfully executed by pianist Hannes Rudenstam.
It is extremely difficult to capture this piece in a single take but Rudenstam does exactly that in this recording. Here, Rudenstam presents a sparkling, well-controlled and thrilling performance, live from the PH Pianos showroom in Copenhagen.
F. Chopin: Etude in C Major, Op. 10 No. 1 performed by Hannes Rudenstam on the PH Grand Piano
