At this year’s Akustika exhibition, I visited the Schulze Pollmann booth and had a pleasant conversation with the factory owner, Mr. Eugenio Galanti. Eugenio is the perfect example of an Italian gentleman - relaxed, friendly, and clearly born to design beautiful and creative pianos. It’s in his blood. What else can you expect? He’s Italian.
 

As a reminder: in 2005 Schulze Pollmann collaborated with Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari to create a limited-edition version of its 6'7" model 197/G5 grand piano. This special edition featured Ferrari's racing red finish and a cast-iron plate in Ferrari gray carbon, mirroring the color of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti's engine. 
Now, before you imagine that he brought a Ferrari to the exhibition - no, not this time. But he did bring something just as exciting.
 

Rudolf: My first question is the same for everyone this year: what do you think about the current challenges in the piano industry, and how are you handling them?

Eugenio: We always find a way. Life doesn’t stop just because a supplier disappears. We’ll find another one and keep producing. In fact, as you can see, we’ve brought something new to show this year.
 

Rudolf: And what is it?

Eugenio: It’s a hybrid instrument, the ilPiano. It uses a traditional acoustic piano keyboard to control a professional digital sound module. We’ve been making hybrids for 10 years now, but our main goal with this new model was to build one with the exact same action, damper system, and pedals as a real acoustic piano - so the playing experience feels completely natural.
 

Rudolf: Is it really that complicated? To me, it doesn’t seem so difficult.

Eugenio: Well, it depends on what you mean by “complicated.” Many companies experiment with hybrid instruments, but we approach it from the perspective of acoustic piano makers. That’s our strength.
 

Rudolf: That - and espresso. I’m convinced Italian coffee is so strong, you could build a grand piano without breaking a sweat. But seriously, tell me the secret.

Eugenio​​​​​​​: The design is important, of course, but for us the most important thing is stability and durability. We’ve used the exact same grand piano action from a 190 cm model, without changes. And we’ve built a damping system that works exactly like the one in an acoustic piano. So the touch and feel are identical. Plus, all adjustments and repairs can be done just like on an acoustic instrument.
 

Rudolf: I see you’re using Renner hammers and a Kluge keyboard, no compromises here.

Eugenio: Exactly. We want pianists to feel no difference between playing acoustic or hybrid. This model here is our top version. Everything matches - the feel, the function. Instead of strings, the hammer hits a special material, mounted on a strong frame. The frame height is adjustable, so we can even install different actions or make fine action adjustments.
 

Rudolf: The action must sit securely, just like in a real grand piano.

Eugenio: Yes, and that’s why we built the same kind of keybed, support system, and strong legs. The pedals work exactly like those in an acoustic model. If you look closely, you’ll see the legs have two supports - one straight, one angled - for better balance and stability.
 

Rudolf: As my legs. Ok, doesn’t that make the piano very heavy?

Eugenio: We thought of that. The instrument can be taken apart into smaller pieces, so it’s easier to transport.
 

Rudolf: I see four very unique wheels on the legs...

Eugenio: Yes! And it’s not just about rolling it around. Each wheel can be adjusted in height, so if the floor isn’t perfectly level, the piano still stands firm and stable.
 

Rudolf: Brilliant! Would be useful for upright pianos too - no more putting bits of wood or paper under the wheels to stop the wobble. But I also notice: no speakers?
Eugenio: Correct. We believe sound is a personal preference. Some people are happy with a €300 speaker system, others prefer one that costs €2000. So we left that choice open. The piano has an audio output - any system can be connected. And of course, headphones work anytime.
 

Rudolf: The look of the piano is elegant, and the music stand seems different.

Eugenio: Yes, the ends fold outward so you can place a laptop or notebook on either side while the score remains center-stage.
 

Rudolf: And finally, the big question - how much does it cost?

Eugenio: That depends on the model and configuration. We also have versions that use different actions or keyboards, which are more affordable. Prices range from €11,000 to €35,000.
 

Afterword: The Italian Way
 

That’s the thing with Italians. They’re laid-back, creative, and never in a rush. And really, why hurry? Life is not a race. But there’s something I’ve always wondered: if two Italians agree to meet at 2:30 PM, how do they find each other if one arrives at 3:45 and the other only shows up at 5?
I asked Eugenio, he just smiled:
“We figure it out.”