"I just had to
write you an email to tell you that I am completely, totally,
head-over-heels in love with my Estonia studio grand piano. In 25 years
of playing the piano, I have never had an experience even remotely
similar to the Estonia. I have never heard a piano sound so clear,
touched keys that literally form to my fingertips, had such an ability
to control the high and low registers, or be able to play so soft and
so loud and yet have the notes sound so very different. I am truly a
better, more proficient and happier piano player with my Estonia.
Growing up with a Kawai, I always assumed that I would purchase the
same, or at the very least, a Yamaha. But as soon as I sat down at the
5 foot, 6 inch Estonia, I knew that this was my piano, my instrument.
As a composer, one issue with all of the other piano's on which I
created music was that my shoulders would be sore after an hour or so
of playing. After playing my Estonia for 7 straight hours with
absolutely no pain, it is clear that the Estonia experience is unique
in so many, countless ways.
Although I have only had my Estonia (or as I refer to her as the newest
'Love of My Life') for only a week, I have already composed two new
pieces. My Estonia sings a story each and every time I play her and
assists me in creating what I need to compose.
John, thank you for being so knowledgeable and passionate about the
Estonia difference... if it had not been for your professionalism,
perfect salesmanship, and consultative approach, I might very well be
sitting in front of a typical, average piano... uninspired and nursing
a sore back.
Purchasing a piano is a huge decision (both monetary and emotional!)
and one that you should only have to make once in your lifetime. What I
love about my Estonia is that I know I will have her forever, with
absolutely no regrets. As Indrek Laul said to me over the phone when I
was making my final decision... "In 10 years, you will not remember the
difference in the amount of money as your Estonia will grow and change
with you over time...." I can honestly say that I only needed a week of
Estonia playing for this to ring true.
The following attachment is a YouTube clip of my newest composition on
the Estonia. I thought you might like to see how perfect the 5 foot, 6
inch looks and sounds in our home.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
-Marjorie
"I absolutely
LOVE my new Estonia 168! It is a Mahogany Satin finish and the touch is
the most responsive grand that I have played in my life. I was simply
amazed that I could play loudly, but then sink into the keys with the
smallest amount of speed, and the sound would still sing out! (If I had
used this touch on the XXXXX that I play weekly at church, it wouldn't
have made a sound). Also, other grands that I have played on, haven't
had the responsiveness that this has.
The thing that surprised me at first about the Estonia, was the thicker
sound in the midrange than I am used to with the XXXXXX and XXXXX
sound. Upon playing music in this area though, I found that a single
melody line could still sing out in the middle of this lush sound. As
for the top end, the melody sings out like a dream, and this bass can
come out powerfully (maybe not as much as it's larger counterparts),
but it makes it's presence known."
- from the forums on Pianoworld.com
"I spent most of my musical career with a Steinway upright that was
built in 1894, but I wanted something new for the retirement phase of
my life. The Cordogan salesman showed me several rebuilt pianos from
major companies, all of which were good, but none of which held the
utopian allure I anticipated. Just as I was about to leave, the
salesman suggested that I try one of the new Estonia pianos, and there
was my answer. The sophisticated, rich, gentle timbre and the sensitive
Renner action result in a piano with a sound that is extraordinary, and
especially so at the Estonia price. I spent years with my left foot
virtually glued to the una corda pedal, thinking that was the only way
I could play softly. The Estonia's action is such that it is possible
to play across the entire dynamic range with the pianist's technique
alone creating the contrasts. Superior craftsmanship is evident not
only in the musical components, but also in the superbly finished case.
The Estonia is an honest attest to traditional values -- musical,
acoustic, artistic, financial."
-Howard Bakken, DMA; Pianist, Organist, Music Educator
"The Estonia
Pianos that I played at Cordogan's touched something in me. The feel of
the action and warmth and purity of the sound are exquisite. The finish
is as perfect as one can find anywhere. I was especially fond of the
5'6" African Bubinga model but I wanted to "graduate" to a larger piano
than the one I currently own.I do not know if Mr. Cordogan told you,
but I purchased a brand new Yamaha C2 in Satin Oak approximately 18
months ago. I had no intention of buying a new piano when my very good
friend Trent Kjell asked me to accompany him to Cordogan's to let him
know my opinion of the Estonia he was thinking about purchasing. That
is when it happened.Your pianos captured me and would not let go! I
played and played looking for a reason not to buy one, but I could not
find one. I tried reasoning with myself that I had just purchased a
piano and that I should be happy but your piano would not let me rest
until I owned one. I decided to trade in my Yamaha C2 at a substantial
financial loss.Your Satin Ebony 6'3" is the piano I chose. I must say
that your Satin finish is like no other I have seen to date. It is
beautiful. The quality of your pianos is unmatched certainly in their
price category and they rank up there with the best the world has to
offer at any price. I prefer the feel and sound of the Estonia above
and beyond any other piano I have played in any price range.You make a
wonderful instrument and one that I will cherish for the rest of my
life. My 6'3" is scheduled for delivery this Friday and I am very
excited. I suspect I will do very little else this weekend except play
my new piano.My friend, Trent, also purchased a Polished Ebony 6'3" the
very same day. We told each other that now we will feel right at home
when we visit each other and sit down on the piano. I told him we have
fraternal twins. :-)I look forward to a lifetime of making music with
your piano.Thank you."
-Mark Jenkins
"After an
extensive search, my wife, a concert pianist from Poland chose the
Estonia 5'6" over both the M&H and Steinway on sound alone. At her
academy and in E. European concert halls the pianos of choice were
German. Accustomed to this warmer sound, she found both the Steinway
and M&H not to her liking but far superior to Asian pianos. She
concedes that the two American pianos may do better in a more varied
repertoire, but for classical music, especially from the Romantic
period, the Estonia is very difficult to beat. Surprisingly the first
time she heard an Estonia was here in Chicago..."
-Paul
"My wife just purchased a 5'6" Estonia Piano for her
new piano studio/school which she started this month. She is extremely
happy and proud of this instrument. Having been a concert pianist in
Poland she was pleased to find this European piano, with an European
sound." -Paul Gruodis
"I purchased one of your piano's in early 1997. It, by far, is the best
buying decision I have made for my business. My jazz recording sessions
have more than doubled, and I am getting more referrals from clients
who have used the piano. The craftsmanship is superb and the sound is
stunning. I have not had a single negative comment about the
instrument. Next to it's beautiful sound, the musicians rave about the
pianos' playability. They LOVE the feel. My piano technician has told
me I could not replace my Estonia for under $100,000. Thanks for a
wonderful instrument."
-Joe Viers
"I am a music director at a church in Tuscaloosa,
Alabama. We built and moved into a new sanctuary in February and
purchased an Estonia Concert Grand for our larger facility. It is
awesome! What an amazing sound it has. We liked it so much
my wife and I bought a Baby Grand for our home. Thank you so
much for such a quality instrument! I would love to know if you
have any printed material or videos of Estonia Pianos. If so I
would be interested to know how I could obtain this information. Thanks
again, and keep up the good work!"
-Bob Kerstetter
"The 9’ Estonia concert grand is the most
sensitive piano I have ever performed on. The tone produced is rich and
full- yet it is effortless to play. In April I will be performing
the Chopin Piano Concerto, No. 1 Opus 11. This particular work is full
of ornamentation, subtle nuances and requires a lot of technical
facility at a rapid tempo. Practicing on the Estonia has made these
challenges sheer pleasure. If my home would accommodate it, I
would purchase a 9’ Estonia for my personal use. I commend the
artist that designed and executed this exquisite instrument. Fine
craftsmanship is evident in every detail!"
-Mary Helen True
"This is just another thank you for your help with the
Ft. Lauderdale concert. The piano was absolutely beautiful- very
responsive and warm. We would not have had such a successful
evening without it!"
-Lara Downes
"I have owned and played ESTONIA grand pianos for many
years. These fine instruments are built in the best European tradition,
combining superb tone and touch, hand crafted of the highest quality
materials. I am confident an ESTONIA piano would make a treasured
addition to your home. It is gratifying for me to recommend the ESTONIA
piano - one of the best kept secrets in piano-making today."
-Neeme Jaarvi, Chief Conductor and Music Director, Detroit
Symphony Orchestra and Goteborg Symphony Orchestra; frequent Guest
Conductor of New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Symphony
Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra,
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
"One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life
is owning an Estonia Piano."
-David Kan, Music critic, Toronto - Hong Kong, Fall 1997
"Recently tuned an "Estonia" 5'6" grand and must say,
in my opinion, this is one helluva beautiful sounding instrument! Very
high quality too, it seems, especially for the price. The tone of this
rather smallish grand is by FAR the best i've heard, but then again,
tone quality is a subjective thing. That's what i love about our
business; there's always something new to look forward to."
- T.
Peterson, Piano Technician, Chicago
