Atelier Chris Maene

01/07/2026

Today at Concertgebouw Brugge, we had the pleasure of sharing the stage with pianist jefkolacny for a special Play Here session.

The Concertgebouw Brugge offers visiting pianists a unique choice: a Steinway & Sons concert grand or a Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand. Together, we explored what these instruments have in common, where they differ, and how those differences influence a pianist’s artistic choices.

Rather than asking which piano is “better”, we discovered something far more interesting: two distinct musical voices, each inspiring its own way of playing.

Jef concluded the session with a beautiful performance that let the audience hear these two characters come to life.

27/05/2026

Back where it belongs.
Richard Wagner’s historic 1876 Steinway concert grand has returned to Wahnfried after an extensive restoration in our atelier. Every detail was approached with one goal in mind: bringing the instrument back as closely as possible to the sound and character Wagner himself would have known.
Proud and grateful to have contributed to the preservation of this extraordinary piece of musical history!

20/11/2025

18/07/2025

Diane Andersen recording Marcel Labey's 'Petite ronde sur une chanson' on the Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand for her new 'Album pour enfants'.

18/07/2025

La pianiste Diane Andersen vient de sortir un nouveau CD enregistré sur le piano Chris Maene // 284 !
Vingt-quatre pièces constituent le recueil collectif « Album pour enfants petits et grands » publié en 1905 par l’Édition Mutuelle de la Schola Cantorum (Paris). Des compositeurs et enseignants de cette institution, jeunes à l’époque (certains devenus célèbres plus t**d), ont composé parfois de véritables petits chefs d’oeuvre inspirés par le monde de l’enfance. Répertoire idéal pour le merveilleux « straight strung » de Chris Maene pour donner à ces pièces le relief sonore qu’elles méritent !
Plus d’infos : https://www.diane-andersen.org

Pianist Diane Andersen has just released a new album recorded on the Chris Maene // 284 piano!
Twenty-four pieces make up the collective collection “Album pour enfants petits et grands” (Album for Children Young and Old) published in 1905 by Édition Mutuelle de la Schola Cantorum (Paris). Composers and teachers from this institution, who were young at the time (some of whom later became famous), sometimes composed real masterpieces inspired by the world of childhood. This repertoire is perfect for Chris Maene's colorful “straight strung” piano, giving these pieces the sonic depth they deserve!
For more information : https://www.diane-andersen.org

24/04/2025

International news to be proud of!

Four exceptional instruments from the Chris Maene Collection were featured at the prestigious exhibition “People and Pianos – 150 Years of Grand Piano History” at the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig (Germany), which ran from January 26th until the end of April.

This exhibition focused entirely on the rich history and influence of Steinway and Grotrian Steinweg. The fact that our collection played a key role in this story highlights the international recognition of our Chris Maene Atelier.

The four instruments on display were:
• Steinway No. 1 “kitchen piano” (1836) – an exact replica, crafted in our own atelier
• Steinway & Sons ‘Centennial’ Concert Grand (1881), restored
• Theodor Steinweg Concert Grand (1859), restored
• Steinway & Sons Upright Piano (1873), restored

Many thanks to the museum team for their care and collaboration!
Want to know more? Discover the exhibition here:
https://www.braunschweig.de/kultur/museen/staedtisches-museum/artikelpool-temporaer/people-and-pianos.php

19/04/2025

Sunday 27 April finds Coro by George De Decker its world premiére in the Lunalia Festival. https://lunalia.be/programma/coro
Pianist Geert Callaert plays the Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand for a specific reason in both the recording and the performance that night. Watch the clip and you will find out why!

https://youtu.be/sIIrXgeuTGI?si=fEEvMuIzzSOLVoDz

CoroGeorge De Decker, Geert Callaert, Els Van LaethemZO 26.04 - 19:30 - nona, MechelenExact 50 jaar na de première van CORO van Luciano Berio, zal tijdens Lu...

26/03/2025

This C. Bechstein grand piano has been fully restored in our workshops with great care. While it had undergone maintenance in the past, it was no longer in good condition. In close consultation with the owner, we meticulously examined every detail of the instrument and ensured that it was restored to its original glory.

It brings us great joy to now receive photos from a delighted owner who has welcomed their piano back home and is thoroughly enjoying it!

16/03/2025