With the CFX, Yamaha now moves to the centre of the stage.
The CF Series pianos are characterised by a wide palette of tonal colors and the ability to create the most subtle expressive nuances. The CF Series pianos can "sing" phrases with a depth of expressiveness rarely heard. The nine foot CFX has a powerful bass and all registers can project over the sound of a symphony orchestra, even in very large halls.
The colours and finishes shown may vary from those on the actual products.
The CF Series features three models that will delight and possibly even surprise you with their power, tonal richness, dynamic range and colour. And at the same time the keyboard and its action are a absolute pleasure to use offering impeccable control that encourages the performer to reach new levels of musical expression. These handcrafted instruments are backed by over a hundred years of high calibre concert piano production, with extensive research analysing what makes a truly great piano. Yamaha experts have spent many many hours together with top world-class performers testing, evaluating and evolving the pianos into the instruments they are today--pianos that are capable of gracing any stage in the world.
Features
Wood, iron, felt and leather. Perfect harmony.
In the making of pianos the choice of materials is a much-considered subject. For Yamaha, the concept of perfection starts by setting the selection criteria on which all its materials are chosen. For Premium Pianos only the world’s finest materials are u...
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Features
Wood, iron, felt and leather. Perfect harmony.
In the making of pianos the choice of materials is a much-considered subject. For Yamaha, the concept of perfection starts by setting the selection criteria on which all its materials are chosen. For Premium Pianos only the world’s finest materials are used. They are then crafted into each and every component – always with the consideration that it is the blend and harmony of each element that ensures the pedigree of the end result.
Wood that has been specially selected based on the grain structure, strength and resonance is seasoned for long periods so that it is perfect to form the ribs, soundboard and bridges. Hi-grade felt for the hammers, the leather used in the mechanism of the action, which is itself engineered to the highest precision levels, or the cast-iron plate that is produced at Yamaha’s own foundry: it is the interaction and synergy among all these materials which turns an instrument into a Yamaha Premium Piano. This dedication is applied to every individual stage of production and the most rigid quality controls possible ensure that each instrument attains the desired quality level.
It is the fusion of all the elements that is critical – every component, each material, the method of assembly and the quality checks that create the final product. Add to this the experience of the master builder, the demands of the artist and the technological expertise available from a long tradition of craftsmanship, and then it is clear to see how Yamaha succeeds in creating what pianists experience as the form of perfect harmony between performer and piano.
Audio & Video
Product Presentation of the Premium Piano CF Series at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2010
Artists Comments
CF Series prototypes evaluated by top artists in the world's musical centers.
Paris
"I love the tonal space with this piano, and I find it technically perfect. It's very rich and so sensitive; everything I need when I want to have an adventure with a piano! And what a fantastic sound... unbelievable!"
Jean-Marc Luisada
"It is a wonderful piano with a very long sustain and rich powerful bass. I love this piano! I don't know why, but it feels so expressive and responsive."
Cyprien Katsaris
"I'm completely satisfied with it. Great colours, plenty of power, very easy to control, it has everything... The entire piano rings. It inspires me a lot. I would use it for any performance, whether recital or concerto. It can do it all."
Alexander Kobrin
New York
"I like this piano a lot. I like the sound and it's very responsive, with a wide range from pianissimo to fortissimo. It has a great bass sound, colourful and rich, and feels solid to play. It's a great piano and a significant step forward for Yamaha."
Frederic Chiu
"Wow, it's so gorgeous! And it's really comfortable to play with amazing sound control and the bass sounds great! Everything responds well, and the dynamic range is astounding. The pianissimo really sings."
Olga Kern
"The ideal piano should have a brassy bass, beautiful mid range, and shimmering highs - and finally there is a piano which has all these qualities. It is sensitive to play but is also capable of a brilliant sound."
Abbey Simon
Tokyo
"It is capable of both profound bass, powerful fortissimo, but also delicate lyrical passages. Being able to control a subtle touch is important and with this piano I can create beautiful colours, but it also has exceptional power."
Maria João Pires
The Development Story
In 1991, Yamaha embarked on its most ambitious piano project ever. The objective: to create a new generation of grand pianos for concert, conservatoire and studio performance.
They assembled a development team of more than 40 skilled and talented piano designers, technicians, craftsmen, pianists and other experienced staff who set about the task of deconstructing the concert grand piano, and rebuilding it from the ground up. Where traditional design was found to be the best way, they adhered to that tradition. Where improvements could be made, they were.
During this period every single aspect of piano design was evaluated, including manufacturing techniques, component combinations and soundboard performance. The best results were combined and multiple prototypes were tested during thousands of hours of performance evaluations some involving the worlds finest artists. Through their Global Artist Services Network, Yamaha was able to conduct tests in Paris, New York, Tokyo, London, Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai involving exhaustive comparisons between the CF Series prototypes and the finest instruments of other manufacturers.
Prototype Evaluation
Paris, August 2008.
As the CF development programme neared its conclusion a collection of the worlds leading concert pianists, professors of the piano, head technicians of the academies and 20 Yamaha staff assembled for three days of extensive testing and comparison at La Salle Gaveau. These experts in their own fields were invited for their objectivity and candid opinions. These were not Yamaha "converts". At least not yet...
Multiple Prototypes of the CFX, CF6 and CF4 were each compared to the existing Yamaha instruments as well as pianos from the other leading manufacturers. In order to conduct the truest evaluation each piano was placed in an environment they would naturally be used for; the CFX on the concert stage, the CF6 and CF4 in smaller locations similar to a professor's teaching room or recital hall. The results were both astonishing and conclusive with a clear majority favouring one particular prototype of each of the 3 models, the one that became known as "the C prototype". The CF4, CF6 and CFX selected shared one thing in common - they had been constructed from the same combination of components and same high grade build quality, and it is that design that has become the New Yamaha flagship instrument. But still we were not satisfied...
The Pursuit of Perfection
Since the very beginning, Yamaha has kept in close touch with leading musicians from around the world. They wanted this new range of performance pianos to fulfil the hopes and dreams of today's and tomorrow's concert pianists. With a single-minded commitment to progress, the design team immersed themselves in further secret prototypes assessments in New York and Tokyo. This approach of careful study, brutal self-honesty and invaluable feedback from Artists and Professors led to further discoveries and additional adjustments - "The pursuit of perfection".
Moves Centre of Stage
As a final test of the CFX development, Yamaha offered its latest prototype out to the most demanding of stages - the ‘competition world’. Such competitions lay bare both pianists and instruments alike and now Yamaha was competing head on with other leading manufacturers. At the 2009 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, 15-year old acclaimed Korean pianist Cho Seong-Jin selected a prototype of CFX for his performances. He was awarded first prize.
Shortly afterwards, Yamaha sent the very first production model CFX to take centre stage in the USA at the prestigious National Chopin Piano Competition in 2010. It was selected by many of the competitors throughout the final stages and proved as successful as Yamaha’s traditional piano rivals. As the competition neared a tense conclusion, the CFX triumphed in the gifted hands of first prize winner Claire Huangci.
With the new CFX, Yamaha now moves centre of the stage.
Evolving Concepts
Every single component of the new CF Series instruments has been selected and crafted for performance. No compromises have been made. So, although the hammers used in earlier models, for example, set new standards, we still found room for improvement in felts and shanks. The soundboard with its new design, honed to perfection throughout the development programme, allows abundant vibrations whilst freeing it from stress. Likewise the ribs and rims,
Defining Innovation through Elegance
Whilst the majority of CF Series development concentrated on improvements within the instrument, our designers wanted to represent this milestone visually too. The unique design of the case side arm is a defining reference for the new range of pianos, and identifies the spirit of innovation with which the programme was undertaken.
The CFX concert grand is supplied with a satin matte finished lid and prop to eliminate reflections from stage lighting and distracting the orchestral musicians. The CF6 and CF4 are supplied with a high gloss finished lid.
Specs
Color/Finish
| Cabinet |
Color |
Polished Ebony |
| Finish |
Polished(Matte lid top & Prop) |
Size/Weight
| Dimensions |
Width |
160cm(63") |
| Height |
103cm(40 1/2") |
| Depth |
275cm(9') |
Control Interface
| Keyboard |
Number of Keys |
88 |
| Key Surfaces - White |
Ivorite |
| Key Surfaces - Black |
Ebony |
| Pedal |
Type |
Sostenuto |
Cabinet
| Lid |
Prop Positions |
3 |
| Prop Safety Stop |
Yes |
| Edge |
Beveled |
| Key Cover |
Lid/Fallboard Locks |
Yes |
| Soft-Close Fallboard |
Yes |
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