Maene

{{about||the surname|Maene (surname)}} thumb | right '''Maene''' is a piano and harpsichord manufacturer based in Ruiselede, Belgium.

The company was founded by Albert Maene-Doutreloigne and Zulma Doutreloigne in 1938. It is currently under the direction of their son Chris Maene.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Pianos Maene |url=https://www.maene.nl/en_NL/over-maene |website=Maene |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Maene |url=https://www.chrismaene.be/nl/about-chris-maene/ |website=Chris Maene |access-date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

The company produces replicas of historical instruments<ref>[http://www.steinway.be/pianos-maene#Steinway%20Replica Steinway Replica n°1 (1836 - 2006)] at {{url|www.steinway.be}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hambacher-schloss.de/component/eventlist/details/85-steinwayno1_konzert Pianokonzert: Steinway No.1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527122639/http://www.hambacher-schloss.de/component/eventlist/details/85-steinwayno1_konzert |date=2015-05-27 }} at {{url|www.hambacher-schloss.de}}</ref> and develops new instruments like the Barenboim piano, which contained no crossed strings.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/26/daniel-barenboim-reveals-radical-new-piano-design-ive-fallen-in-love-with-it Daniel Barenboim reveals radical new piano design: 'I've fallen in love with it'] in ''The Guardian'', 26 May 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.chrismaene.be/en/news/chris-maene-workshop/barenboim_maene_concert_grand.aspx Chris Maene & Daniel Barenboim launch new concert grand at Royal Festival Hall London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527122655/http://www.chrismaene.be/en/news/chris-maene-workshop/barenboim_maene_concert_grand.aspx |date=2015-05-27 }} at {{url|www.chrismaene.be}}</ref><ref>[https://www.classicfm.com/artists/daniel-barenboim/news/new-piano-steinway/ Daniel Barenboim's bespoke piano is an absolute stunner - here's why], ''Classic FM'', 14 November 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGEYFK4J6yU The 'radical' Barenboim piano unveiled], BBC audio/video at YouTube, 27 May 2015.</ref>

From 2016 to 2022, Maene collaborated with architect Rafael Viñoly on a novel piano design with a curved ergonomic keyboard that could facilitate easier access to the lowest and highest notes simultaneously.<ref name="Barron">{{cite news |last1=Barron |first1=James |title=A Piano With a Curved Keyboard Will Star at Carnegie Hall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/nyregion/piano-curved-keyboard-carnegie-hall.html |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=28 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Maene-Viñoly Concert Grand Piano |url=https://www.chrismaene.be/the-maene-vinoly-concert-grand/ |website=Chris Maene}}</ref>

A foot longer than a typical concert grand and like the Barenboim piano hosting no crossed strings, the Maene-Viñoly piano was completed in 2022 and premiered at the Verbier Festival played by Kirill Gerstein.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Predota |first1=Georg |title=Maene-Viñoly Concert Grand Piano “Ergonomic Keyboard” |url=https://interlude.hk/maene-vinoly-concert-grand-piano-ergonomic-keyboard/ |website=Interlude |publisher=Interlude |access-date=2 January 2024 |date=31 July 2022}}</ref> In the months after Viñoly's death, the instrument was hosted at the Philadelphia Orchestra<ref>{{cite web |title=The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., to Display Maene-Viñoly Concert Grand Piano in its U.S. Debut at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts |url=https://www.philorch.org/about-us/contact-us/press-room/news-releases/the-philadelphia-orchestra-and-kimmel-center-inc.-to-display-maene-vinoly-concert-grand-piano-in-its-u.s.-debut-at-the-kimmel-center-for-the-performing-arts/ |website=The Philadelphia Orchestra |access-date=2 January 2024 |date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226194528/https://www.philorch.org/about-us/contact-us/press-room/news-releases/the-philadelphia-orchestra-and-kimmel-center-inc.-to-display-maene-vinoly-concert-grand-piano-in-its-u.s.-debut-at-the-kimmel-center-for-the-performing-arts/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and featured at a Carnegie Hall concert in November of 2023 where it was played by Jonathan Biss.<ref name="Barron"/>

The company also provides keyboard instruments for the Queen Elisabeth Competition.<ref>[http://www.maene.be/nl/news/merken/KEW15viool.aspx Koningin Elisabethwestrijd 2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527123140/http://www.maene.be/nl/news/merken/KEW15viool.aspx |date=2015-05-27 }} at {{url|www.maene.be}}</ref>

==References== <references />

==External links== * {{url|www.maene.be}} * {{url|www.chrismaene.be}} * [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32885683 Daniel Barenboim designs 'radical' new piano] at {{url|www.bbc.com}}

Category:Piano manufacturing companies Category:Harpsichord manufacturing companies Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1938 Category:Belgian brands Category:Musical instrument manufacturing companies of Belgium Category:Companies based in West Flanders Category:Belgian companies established in 1938