Mute piano, Germany, ex- Tore Uppström (KH 192)
The only mute piano in Klaverens Hus’s collection was donated by the pianist Tore Uppström (KH 192). It functions as a practice instrument with five muted octaves and is housed in a folding box, which rests on a wooden stand. It is German and should be able to be dated using the patent number.
Tore received it at the end of the 1960s from the pianist Astrid Berwald (1886-1982) in connection with his interviewing her for his book Pianister i Sverige (pub. 1973). Astrid Berwald, great-granddaughter of the composer Franz Berwald (1796-1868), in turn is said to have lent it at some point to Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927), well-known pianist, composer and conductor. Through these musicians, the mutepiano represents a unique piece of Swedish piano history and piano culture.
