Erard

Biography

In Europe, Erard is described as experimenting around 1824 with iron bracing bars for grand pianos, at one point using as many as nine long bars laid over the soundboard in pursuit of adequate strength against string tension. Dolge contrasts this approach with that of Broadwood, who worked more methodically toward achieving the necessary resistance with as few bars as possible. Erard's experiments are presented as part of the wider European effort to solve the bracing problem that American makers such as Jonas Chickering later resolved more decisively with the full iron frame. The text gives no further personal or biographical detail about Erard beyond this account of the bracing experiments. Erard is mentioned in the author's concluding remarks as the party against whom Pleyel and Broadwood, described as intimate friends, allied themselves ('made front against Erard'). The reference is cited as an example of the personal rivalries among the strong personalities who founded the leading piano firms. No further biographical detail is given in this passage.

Highlights

• Experimented with iron bracing bars in grand pianos around 1824
• Used as many as nine long bars over the soundboard
• Named as the rival against whom Pleyel and Broadwood 'made front.'

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911).

Public domain.