Yamaha launches new flagship piano

Instrument manufacturer Yamaha has launched its latest piano model, the CFX concert grand piano. The new model of Yamaha’s flagship concert grand was launched at an event held at London’s St John’s Smith Square.

In an afternoon of performances, pianists including Noriko Ogawa, Tamara Stefanovich and George Harliono, 2020 winner of Yamaha Music Europe Foundation Scholarship, put the new model through its paces. Jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie also gave a performance to show the CFX’s aptitude for different genres.

Tamara Stefanovich performs at Yamaha's CFX launch event (Image courtesy of Yamaha)

Speaking at the event, Stefanovich praised the new piano, describing it as: ‘a mix of Ferrari, spaceship and the palette of colours of the best painters.’

The new model is an updated version of Yamaha’s original CFX which launched in 2010. Alongside a perforated music rack, reshaped bridge and improved keyboard and hammer action, the new CFX uses acoustic resonance enhancement wood-reforming technology invented by Yamaha to transform vibrations into resonance more efficiently.

The design process involved a team of 60 people from Yamaha’s piano development division split into dedicated teams focusing on areas including component technology and research & development. The research team gathered feedback from around 100 pianists who tried 30 prototypes before the new model was finalized.