Gregorio Trentin (attr.)
AUTORE IGNOTO
attr. Gregorio Trentin (1837)
Donated by Fabio Copercini and Andrea Giuseppin
Some writing appears on the central rib under the soundboard of this instrument; it is difficult to read, but the last words are clear: … in Conselve 1837.
It is reasonable to assume that the instrument was made by Gregorio Trentin, the only organ and piano manufacturer who worked in Conselve, near Padova; he was famous in his day for a number of ingenious inventions, which he later patented, to be applied to his instruments.
There is another under the soundboard, which reads: Renovated by me, Paolo Fabris in Padova 1850.
The damper bar has been restructured, probably – deducing from a few words written inside the instrument – by a piano renovator from Cartura, near Padova.
The action is the simplest of those in use at the time: an English action with a pin attached to the key, which drives the hammer directly against the string, without escapement. In its simplicity, this is a very sensitive and effective action, but it requires great delicacy of touch.
Nicolò Lachin of Padova learned the art of piano-building from Gregorio Trentin.
style: square
width: cm.169
dept: cm. 72
height (floor to keyboard): cm. 69,5
compass: FF-f””
octave size: cm. 16
strings: FF-C (1 string open-spun brass winding) C#_B (bichord brass) c-f”” (bichord iron)
bridge: divided C/C#
wret pins: rectangular
action: single english
hammer covering: leater
pedals: dampers
structure: wood
case: walnut
