Graham Walker

This is the website of Graham Walker, Dorset, UK who has had an interest in the early piano for over 30 years. He has undertaken the restoration of instruments for private collection and has also carried out research on early pianos and their makers over this period. This has been done alongside a career in management consultancy and performance management. Early retirement in 2007 enabled him to become more involved and he commissioned a cloth manufacturer to produce an authentic keyboard cloth. This cloth is the nearest match to an early 19^th century piano cloth that can be made within modern manufacturing processes. It was initially produced for his requirements but it soon came in demand by others. Further types of cloth have been replicated by request from makers and restorers. These cloths can be purchased from the online shop on this website. He has also undertaken some research into the leather used in early English pianos and is currently working in liaison with the Institute of Creative Leather Technology, Northampton University, UK with the objective of determining specifications. He is involved in supporting interest in the early piano and is passionate about ensuring that our heritage of early pianos collections in the UK can be maintained for the future.

C1791 Longman & Broderip Square Piano

c1791 Longman & Broderip square piano

February 1, 2013
Graham
Gallery

Longman & Broderip were not makers of square pianos but contracted piano makers to produce instruments on their behalf. This example was probably made by Culliford Rolfe & Barrow. There are inscriptions in this piano showing that it was restored in 1823 and again in 1951. The keyboard compass is 5 octaves and the maker’s number suggests that it was made in 1791 as part of the first series of Longman & Broderip square pianos. The internal cover gives instructions for maintaining the instrument and further information is given about this on the Longman & Broderip page of the Early Piano. This square piano is currently under restoration.