Fazioli
Encyclopedia
Fazioli Pianoforti is a piano
manufacturing company based in Sacile
, Italy.
Fazioli currently produces 110 pianos a year from its single factory, and has annual revenues of €6 million.
. Paolo demonstrated a high level of musical talent, as well as a strong interest in pianos. Later, while continuing his piano studies, he attended the University of Rome as an engineering student, a requirement for managing the family business. During his studies, Paolo visited laboratories working on pianos and restoration, while studying the available literature on the subject.
In 1969, Paolo earned his university diploma as an engineer at the University of Rome.
In 1971, Paolo earned his degree as a Pianist at the Conservatory C. Rossini in Pesaro under the instruction of Maestro and head professor Sergio Cafaro; later of the Conservatory Santa Cecillia in Rome. He also received a Master Degree in Music Composition at the Rome Music Academy where he was guided by the composer Boris Porena
.
In the meantime, the elder brothers had broadened the family business and introduced new technology for wood processing. Two new factories in Sacile had been bought for the production of wooden office furniture, as well as a further factory in Turin for the production of metal furniture. In Sacile, exotic and unique wood species were used, including Teak, Rosewood and Mahogany. The furniture is exported throughout the world under the brand of MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni). Paolo Fazioli enters the company upon graduation, starting in Rome, afterwards moving to Turin and gaining a deep knowledge of scientific wood processing as well as production. Now confident in his planning and production skills, he starts his project of building grand pianos, beginning with a detailed study of contemporary grand piano production; analyzing the instruments consistency and performance while querying researchers and critics. His father and eldest brother Vigilio, an expert in wood technology, are hugely supportive.
From his elder brothers he obtains the necessary support for research, development and production. With the finest technology and analysis available Paolo Fazioli defines the parameters of the piano that he wants to build. He is convinced, that by using a range of design changes, developed from the most modern acoustical research and material development, he will be able to build an outstanding instrument.
In 1978 Paolo Fazioli, an engineer and pianist, brought together a team of specialist technicians, including mathematicians, acoustic physicists, wood technologists, piano makers and pianists to "define the process for the construction of a conceptually new piano". Fazioli Pianoforti s.r.l. was formally established in January 1981.
In the same year, the traditional piano technician’s specialist skills combined with the research, experience and know-how of the engineer can be put into practice. A production facility, the “Fabbrica di Pianoforti Fazioli” is built within the Sacile furniture factory, about 60 km north of Venice. The choice of the factory fulfills a number of organizational and production needs: materials are close at hand, as well as research and analytic laboratories, and most importantly, specialized craftsman. Tragically, Paolo’s father Romano who passionately supported his son’s initiative and smoothed the way for his future success, passes away before the factory begins production.
1979:
With the assistance of the Professor Righini, renowned for his knowledge of environmental and musical acoustics and Professor Giordano, famous for his knowledge of wood, as well as Virgilio Fazioli and Lino Tiveron, the planning of the Model F183 begins. Soon afterward, the Models F156 and F278 are also planned.
1980:
In June, the initial prototype of Model F183 is produced. In November, the prototypes of Models F156 and F278 are finished.
1981:
In January, Fazioli s.r.l. is established, and the prototypes of Models 183, 156, and 278 are shown to the Press and the industry. At the press conference, the noted musicologist Professor Piero Rattalino participates together with Professors Giordano and Righini. In February, the same pianos are first shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe
. In the latter half of the year, the prototype of Model F228 is begun, thereby completing the initial production series. The philosophy of Fazioli Pianoforti s.r.l., remains the same to this day:
• To produce grand and concert grand pianos exclusively, aiming for the highest quality with no concern for large production
• Not to imitate any other existing pianos, rather to create an original sound
• To hand-craft each piano individually using time honored traditional methods combined with the latest technological advances
• To strive constantly to improve the piano by using cutting edge technology.
1982:
In February, all four models are shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. In March, a production area of 600 square meters is set up, with an initial production of 2-3 pianos per month.
1983:
Cooperation with the Zanussi-Center in Pordenone begins. Here, scientific research is carried out with the goal of further improving tonal quality.
1984:
Initial success – well-known pianists such as Aldo Ciccolini
, Alfred Brendel
, Martha Argerich
, Vladimir Ashkenazy
, Lazar Bermann, Nikita Magaloff
, Michel Beroff
, Annie Fischer
, Louis Lortie
and others begin to play Fazioli pianos. A number of important concert halls purchase instruments, and the export into the most important European countries and the USA begins.
The demand for an instrument having greater power and richness of overtones to be used in large concert halls inspires the conception for the F308 model, the longest piano available on the market.
1985:
Two new models are developed – the F212 and the F308.
1986:
The prototypes of the two new models are finished.
1987:
The Model F212 is introduced at the Frankfurt Messe. The prototype of the first F308 receives its first public performance in April at the Teatro Comunale di Monfalcone, when pianist François Joel Thiollier performs both Tchaikovsky concertos.
Later in the same year, Lazar Berman uses the F308 for his performance at Carnegie Hall
, where he plays Liszt's 2nd Concerto. Murray Perahia
also chooses the F308 for his concert at the Goldoni Theatre in Venice. Towards year-end, Alfred Brendel chooses the Fazioli for his Italian concerts.
1988:
The piano factory is doubled in size with the most modern facilities available, so that 7-8 pianos per month can now be produced.
1990:
The cooperation with the Zanussi R&D Center results in a re-optimization of the entire product line.
1992:
The improved pianos are shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe.
1994:
Fazioli Pianoforti has its first exhibition at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California
, thereby consolidating its position in the North American market. In the same year, the company displays at the Shanghai Musikmesse, beginning its continuing success in China
. A concert grand is installed in the Sydney Town Hall
in Australia
. The Fazioli Piano is chosen for use at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
in Salt Lake City.
1995:
The F308 receives its introduction at the NAMM show, followed by concerts in Los Angeles
and Salt Lake City. In June, the F308 is presented in Beijing
, followed by the purchase of Fazioli instruments by the Beijing Conservatory. More pianists become fans of the Fazioli, including Elisabeth Leonskaya.
1996:
A Fazioli is chosen for concerts in the Wiener Musikvereinshalle by Ingeborg Baldaszti., Markus Schirmer, Jasminka Stancul and Elisabeth Leonskaya.
The unique Brunei concert grand is produced with inlays of precious stones, mother of pearl and exotic woods. In addition to standard black instruments, a number of unique art case instruments are and continue to be made for discriminating customers.
1997:
At the Umbria Jazz Festival, one of the world’s most renowned jazz festivals, Models F278 and F308 were first used and remain the exclusive instruments at this festival today, as well as the winter companion festival in Orvieto. A number of greatest jazz artists have learned to love Fazioli pianos: Herbie Hancock
, Matthew Shipp
, Martial Solal
, Brad Mehldau
, Chucho Valdez and Michel Camilo
.
1998:
An area of about 14,000 m2 is purchased next to the current factory for the construction of a new factory capable of producing 150 instruments per year. Plans include a laboratory for acoustic research and a concert hall, in which new instruments can be played and tested.
2000:
The Colburn School for Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California is home to two Faziolis [and more when the Conservatory opens its new campus in 2008]. Faziolis permanently reside in Mayman Hall, Zipper Hall and select Colburn Conservatory practice rooms.
2001:
The new factory is opened.
2005:
The Fazioli Concert Hall is opened, and is immediately applauded for its acoustics. Located adjacent to the factory, pianos can easily be wheeled in for testing in a concert environment.
The Fazioli is noted for its inclusion of a fourth pedal on the F308. This pedal brings the hammers closer to the strings, decreasing the volume while maintaining a normal tone, functioning just like the soft pedal on an upright piano.
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
manufacturing company based in Sacile
Sacile
Sacile is a town and comune in the province of Pordenone, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-east Italy. It is known as the "Garden of the Serenissima" after the many palaces that were constructed along the river Livenza for the nobility of the Most Serene Republic of...
, Italy.
Fazioli currently produces 110 pianos a year from its single factory, and has annual revenues of €6 million.
History
In 1944, Paolo Fazioli, the youngest of six sons, was born. His father ran a successful furniture factory in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Paolo demonstrated a high level of musical talent, as well as a strong interest in pianos. Later, while continuing his piano studies, he attended the University of Rome as an engineering student, a requirement for managing the family business. During his studies, Paolo visited laboratories working on pianos and restoration, while studying the available literature on the subject.
In 1969, Paolo earned his university diploma as an engineer at the University of Rome.
In 1971, Paolo earned his degree as a Pianist at the Conservatory C. Rossini in Pesaro under the instruction of Maestro and head professor Sergio Cafaro; later of the Conservatory Santa Cecillia in Rome. He also received a Master Degree in Music Composition at the Rome Music Academy where he was guided by the composer Boris Porena
Boris Porena
Boris Porena is an Italian thinker, music composer and didactical expert. He is married to Paola Bučan, a famous Croatian cellist and teacher, who is a tenured professor at the Perugia Conservatory....
.
In the meantime, the elder brothers had broadened the family business and introduced new technology for wood processing. Two new factories in Sacile had been bought for the production of wooden office furniture, as well as a further factory in Turin for the production of metal furniture. In Sacile, exotic and unique wood species were used, including Teak, Rosewood and Mahogany. The furniture is exported throughout the world under the brand of MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni). Paolo Fazioli enters the company upon graduation, starting in Rome, afterwards moving to Turin and gaining a deep knowledge of scientific wood processing as well as production. Now confident in his planning and production skills, he starts his project of building grand pianos, beginning with a detailed study of contemporary grand piano production; analyzing the instruments consistency and performance while querying researchers and critics. His father and eldest brother Vigilio, an expert in wood technology, are hugely supportive.
From his elder brothers he obtains the necessary support for research, development and production. With the finest technology and analysis available Paolo Fazioli defines the parameters of the piano that he wants to build. He is convinced, that by using a range of design changes, developed from the most modern acoustical research and material development, he will be able to build an outstanding instrument.
In 1978 Paolo Fazioli, an engineer and pianist, brought together a team of specialist technicians, including mathematicians, acoustic physicists, wood technologists, piano makers and pianists to "define the process for the construction of a conceptually new piano". Fazioli Pianoforti s.r.l. was formally established in January 1981.
In the same year, the traditional piano technician’s specialist skills combined with the research, experience and know-how of the engineer can be put into practice. A production facility, the “Fabbrica di Pianoforti Fazioli” is built within the Sacile furniture factory, about 60 km north of Venice. The choice of the factory fulfills a number of organizational and production needs: materials are close at hand, as well as research and analytic laboratories, and most importantly, specialized craftsman. Tragically, Paolo’s father Romano who passionately supported his son’s initiative and smoothed the way for his future success, passes away before the factory begins production.
1979:
With the assistance of the Professor Righini, renowned for his knowledge of environmental and musical acoustics and Professor Giordano, famous for his knowledge of wood, as well as Virgilio Fazioli and Lino Tiveron, the planning of the Model F183 begins. Soon afterward, the Models F156 and F278 are also planned.
1980:
In June, the initial prototype of Model F183 is produced. In November, the prototypes of Models F156 and F278 are finished.
1981:
In January, Fazioli s.r.l. is established, and the prototypes of Models 183, 156, and 278 are shown to the Press and the industry. At the press conference, the noted musicologist Professor Piero Rattalino participates together with Professors Giordano and Righini. In February, the same pianos are first shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe
Musik Messe
The Musik Messe held each year in Frankfurt is Europe's largest trade show for musical instruments, lighting, recording and sound reinforcement equipment. Generally held in early March, the Musik Messe and the NAMM shows are where the world's manufacturers announce and show their new...
. In the latter half of the year, the prototype of Model F228 is begun, thereby completing the initial production series. The philosophy of Fazioli Pianoforti s.r.l., remains the same to this day:
• To produce grand and concert grand pianos exclusively, aiming for the highest quality with no concern for large production
• Not to imitate any other existing pianos, rather to create an original sound
• To hand-craft each piano individually using time honored traditional methods combined with the latest technological advances
• To strive constantly to improve the piano by using cutting edge technology.
1982:
In February, all four models are shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe. In March, a production area of 600 square meters is set up, with an initial production of 2-3 pianos per month.
1983:
Cooperation with the Zanussi-Center in Pordenone begins. Here, scientific research is carried out with the goal of further improving tonal quality.
1984:
Initial success – well-known pianists such as Aldo Ciccolini
Aldo Ciccolini
Aldo Ciccolini , is an Italian-French pianist.-Biography:Aldo Ciccolini was born in Naples. His father, who bore the title of Marquis of Macerara, worked as a typographer. He took his first lessons with Maria Vigliarolo d'Ovidio, and entered Naples Conservatory in 1934 at the age of 9, by special...
, Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel KBE is an Austrian pianist, born in Czechoslovakia and a resident of the United Kingdom. He is also a poet and author.-Biography:...
, Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich
Martha Argerich is an Argentine pianist.-Early life:Argerich was born in Buenos Aires and started playing the piano at age three...
, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy is a Russian-Icelandic conductor and pianist. Since 1972 he has been a citizen of Iceland, his wife Þórunn's country of birth. Since 1978, because of his many obligations in Europe, he and his family have resided in Meggen, near Lucerne in Switzerland...
, Lazar Bermann, Nikita Magaloff
Nikita Magaloff
Nikita Magaloff was a Georgian-Russian pianist.He was born in Saint Petersburg to a Georgian noble family named Maghalashvili. Magaloff and his family left Russia in 1918 for Finland and then Paris, where he studied with Isidor Philipp, chair of the piano department at the Paris Conservatory...
, Michel Beroff
Michel Béroff
-Biography:Béroff was born at Épinal, and trained at the Nancy Conservatory, winning the 1st prize in 1962 and the prize of excellence in 1963. He completed his studies at the Paris Conservatory with Yvonne Loriod, winning the 1st prize in 1966. In 1967 he made his Paris debut and won 1st prize in...
, Annie Fischer
Annie Fischer
Annie Fischer was a Hungarian classical pianist.-Biography:Fischer was born in Budapest, and studied in that city at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with Ernő Dohnányi. In 1933 she won the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in her native city...
, Louis Lortie
Louis Lortie
Louis Lortie, OC, CQ is a French-Canadian pianist. He currently lives in Berlin.He is known for his interpretation of Ravel, Chopin and Beethoven...
and others begin to play Fazioli pianos. A number of important concert halls purchase instruments, and the export into the most important European countries and the USA begins.
The demand for an instrument having greater power and richness of overtones to be used in large concert halls inspires the conception for the F308 model, the longest piano available on the market.
1985:
Two new models are developed – the F212 and the F308.
1986:
The prototypes of the two new models are finished.
1987:
The Model F212 is introduced at the Frankfurt Messe. The prototype of the first F308 receives its first public performance in April at the Teatro Comunale di Monfalcone, when pianist François Joel Thiollier performs both Tchaikovsky concertos.
Later in the same year, Lazar Berman uses the F308 for his performance at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, where he plays Liszt's 2nd Concerto. Murray Perahia
Murray Perahia
Murray Perahia KBE is an American concert pianist and conductor.-Early life:Murray Perahia was born in the Bronx borough of New York City to a family of Sephardi Jewish origin. According to the biography on his Mozart piano sonatas CD, his first language was Judaeo-Spanish or, Ladino. The family...
also chooses the F308 for his concert at the Goldoni Theatre in Venice. Towards year-end, Alfred Brendel chooses the Fazioli for his Italian concerts.
1988:
The piano factory is doubled in size with the most modern facilities available, so that 7-8 pianos per month can now be produced.
1990:
The cooperation with the Zanussi R&D Center results in a re-optimization of the entire product line.
1992:
The improved pianos are shown at the Frankfurt Musik Messe.
1994:
Fazioli Pianoforti has its first exhibition at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, thereby consolidating its position in the North American market. In the same year, the company displays at the Shanghai Musikmesse, beginning its continuing success in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. A concert grand is installed in the Sydney Town Hall
Sydney Town Hall
The Sydney Town Hall is a landmark sandstone building located in the heart of Sydney. It stands opposite the Queen Victoria Building and alongside St Andrew's Cathedral...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Fazioli Piano is chosen for use at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
The Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition is based in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the second largest piano competition in the United States....
in Salt Lake City.
1995:
The F308 receives its introduction at the NAMM show, followed by concerts in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Salt Lake City. In June, the F308 is presented in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, followed by the purchase of Fazioli instruments by the Beijing Conservatory. More pianists become fans of the Fazioli, including Elisabeth Leonskaya.
1996:
A Fazioli is chosen for concerts in the Wiener Musikvereinshalle by Ingeborg Baldaszti., Markus Schirmer, Jasminka Stancul and Elisabeth Leonskaya.
The unique Brunei concert grand is produced with inlays of precious stones, mother of pearl and exotic woods. In addition to standard black instruments, a number of unique art case instruments are and continue to be made for discriminating customers.
1997:
At the Umbria Jazz Festival, one of the world’s most renowned jazz festivals, Models F278 and F308 were first used and remain the exclusive instruments at this festival today, as well as the winter companion festival in Orvieto. A number of greatest jazz artists have learned to love Fazioli pianos: Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
, Matthew Shipp
Matthew Shipp
Matthew Shipp is an American pianist, composer and bandleader.Shipp was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and began playing piano at six years old. His mother was a friend of trumpeter Clifford Brown....
, Martial Solal
Martial Solal
Martial Solal is a French jazz pianist and composer, who is probably most widely known for the music he wrote for Jean-Luc Godard's debut feature film À bout de souffle .-Biography:...
, Brad Mehldau
Brad Mehldau
Brad Mehldau is an American jazz pianist. Besides leading his own group, the Brad Mehldau Trio, he has performed with many renowned artists, including Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, Larry Grenadier, Peter Bernstein, Jeff Ballard, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, Kurt...
, Chucho Valdez and Michel Camilo
Michel Camilo
Michel Camilo is a pianist and composer from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He specializes in jazz, Latin and classical piano work...
.
1998:
An area of about 14,000 m2 is purchased next to the current factory for the construction of a new factory capable of producing 150 instruments per year. Plans include a laboratory for acoustic research and a concert hall, in which new instruments can be played and tested.
2000:
The Colburn School for Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California is home to two Faziolis [and more when the Conservatory opens its new campus in 2008]. Faziolis permanently reside in Mayman Hall, Zipper Hall and select Colburn Conservatory practice rooms.
2001:
The new factory is opened.
2005:
The Fazioli Concert Hall is opened, and is immediately applauded for its acoustics. Located adjacent to the factory, pianos can easily be wheeled in for testing in a concert environment.
Models
Fazioli currently offers six models of grand pianos, the largest being the Fazioli F308, which at 3.08 m (10 ft 2 in) in length is the longest piano available on the general market.The Fazioli is noted for its inclusion of a fourth pedal on the F308. This pedal brings the hammers closer to the strings, decreasing the volume while maintaining a normal tone, functioning just like the soft pedal on an upright piano.