Yamaha CF4 Premium Handcrafted Grand Piano

We are delighted to show our appreciation of this ultimate piano series and our commitment to delivering what we feel is truly the best... Venables Pianos are the first official Yamaha CF Premium Piano Centre in the UK and we are proud to display the CF4 and CF6 pianos at our extended grand piano showrooms in Hampshire.

Our CF Premium Piano representation continues with a CFX Concert Grand available for elite-level concert piano hire and the facility to select from 2 new CFX Concert grand pianos by arrangement at either Yamaha Milton Keynes or Yamaha Hamburg with final bespoke preparation at Venables Pianos plus an onsite voicing service.

The Venables established aftercare technician network assures you of local service anywhere in the UK, with prompt attention and high standard servicing of your Yamaha CF piano.

There is very limited supply of these handcrafted pianos and immense demand Worldwide. This is the first time in the UK both a CF4 and a CF6 are together. In 2013, we will have secured availability of CF4 and CF6 pianos for stock, in addition to a second model of each to allow a selection facility here.

Watch and Listen!

Andrew Haigh performs on the Yamaha CF4 at our Hampshire piano showrooms

Describing the qualities of a piano can be a challenge. We all hear things differently, have our own interpretations and preferences, and piano tone is certainly a very subjective element of discussion. So, here goes...

We all know that bigger pianos produce a bigger sound, so it's even more of a challenge to praise a smaller piano as the best piano when there's something bigger available. But, sometimes a bigger sound isn't what's needed. Let's say that we're looking for an ideal chamber grand. Great for the home, recital room, piano studio or indeed 'chamber' work.

In my experience, pianists are seeking balance, uniformity in tone and a wide expressive range. This is famously accomplished in grands of 6' upwards, so the bass is as well-pronounced as the tenor and treble, and the transition through the bass/tenor break is smooth.

The handcrafted model CF4 from Yamaha's new premium piano series is a chamber grand. Purely by its size is it given this title, as a 6'3" length grand meets the requirements in being a capable, uniform and 'balanced' instrument. Of course, the design - quality of build and component specifications make all the difference between a chamber-sized grand being unsuitable and outright perfect.

Character in tone is very important. Character is essentially the result from a blend of fundamentals and partials, and ideally this blend creates an interesting and moving sound that is rich, warm and lyrical. The tone needs to 'speak' relative to the expression and dynamics. For Pianissimo there needs to be a dark, warm and soft tone but still with clarity and sustain. As the dynamics increase, the tone changes to become more clear with more immediacyand brilliance but also a stronger mid range of tone developing and upwards to fortissimo the tone becomes strong, even more clear and brilliant - and this is the challenge, to maintain the overallcharacter and quality of tone at all levels without being fuzzy or dull at pianissimo and not distorted, brittle or thin at fortissimo. The CF4 more than accomplishes this challenge. It excels. A new depth of tone is enjoyed at all levels and it is a real experience to hear this. A new tone that I can describe as 'warm clarity'.