Casio Launches Grand Hybrid Pianos At Lincoln Center Event

New GP-500BP and GP-300 introduced at the event along with a Special Performance from Simone Dinnerstein

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Sep 17, 2015, 09:00 ET

DOVER, N.J., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Casio America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, hosted a launch event for its new Grand Hybrid digital pianos, the CELVIANO GP-500BP and GP-300 on Wednesday, September 16^th at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center in New York City. These innovative digital pianos were developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein, one of the world's most prominent grand piano manufacturers.

Mike Martin, Koyo Nagoya, Karl Schulze, Stephen Schmidt, Ralf Dewor, and Shigenori Itoh seen at Casio's Grand Hybrid event at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse in Lincoln Center, New York City on September 16, 2015.

The event kicked off with a presentation on Casio's new Grand Hybrid digital pianos with specific emphasis on their new technology and design aesthetics. Casio executives and representatives of the Electronic Musical Instrument Division were in attendance as well as Karl Schulze, CEO of C. Bechstein, who spoke about the collaboration during the event. Following the presentation was a one-of-a-kind performance by American classical pianist, Simone Dinnerstein, who is widely known for her self-financed recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg variations.

"In honor of Casio's 35^th anniversary, we were thrilled to debut our newest chapter in piano history – the CELVIANO GP-500BP and GP-300 – during our event at Lincoln Center," said Stephen Schmidt, Vice President of Casio's Electronic Musical Instrument Division. "Casio is deeply rooted in the music industry and our new Grand Hybrid digital pianos were designed to represent the ultimate combination of innovation and tradition."

Casio's Grand Hybrid digital pianos are top-level digital pianos that combine advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship, manufactured to the highest quality and demand in order to produce perfect piano sounds. Casio's new AiR Grand Sound Source mimics the beautiful sound, detail and rich reverberation of a grand piano. It provides the sound profiles of three grand piano styles with a long history: the Berlin Grand, which is known for its elegant clear sound and a reverberation that gives each performance rich melodic color; the Hamburg Grand, which delivers gorgeous power and strength with plenty of string resonance; and the Vienna Grand, which provides a calm and stately sound with rich bass and beautiful tones when the keys are played softly. Of the three, the Berlin Grand sound was developed in collaboration with C. Bechstein, a piano maker with a history of over 160 years. As a result, the new models have moved beyond the realm of conventional digital pianos, demonstrating a commitment to nuanced sound creation.

"The CELVIANO Grand Hybrid is a unique instrument where the tactile and tonal experience of playing on a variety of fine acoustic pianos has been simulated using great care and imagination. I would be excited to have one in my own home," said American classical pianist, Simone Dinnerstein.

Additionally, the GP-500BP and GP-300 feature a Grand Acoustic System that faithfully represents the sound of a grand piano as it emanates from above and below the soundboard. The system delivers three-dimensional sound with tonal elongation, expansion and depth.

The GP-500BP and GP-300 also offer the following features:

Natural Grand Hammer Action Keyboard
Hall Simulator
Scene feature
256-note polyphony
5 sensitivity levels
3 direct tone select buttons
60 preset songs
10 user songs
Concert Play mode
Duet mode

Casio's GP-300 ($3,999) will be available at select music dealers nationwide beginning in September and the GP-500BP ($5,999) will be available beginning in November. To learn more about Casio's full portfolio of electronic musical instruments including the CELVIANO line of digital pianos, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com.

About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com.

About CELVIANO
The CELVIANO line of digital pianos is Casio's first-class line of digital pianos geared for players who crave the true sounds and feel of an authentic grand piano. In addition to the traditional cabinet designs, Casio's CELVIANO digital pianos provide a number of features including new stereo grand piano sounds, a redesigned keyboard action, as well as ebony and ivory textured keys that offer the natural sensatory feel the musician wants and needs while delivering the sounds and benefits of a digital piano. In addition, Casio's new proprietary sound source "AiR" (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) provides unmatched realism, detail and seamless dynamics for a remarkably expressive and powerful performance. For additional information on Casio's CELVIANO digital pianos, please visit www.CasioMusicGear.com

About C. Bechstein
Since Carl Bechstein founded the Pianoforte production facility in Berlin in 1853, the name Bechstein has stood for the highest class of upright and grand pianos. C. Bechstein pianos have been appreciated by many famous composers and artists for their finest quality of sound and touch for many years. In the 21st century, C. Bechstein is still recognized as one of the world's leading piano manufacturers.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150917/267483

SOURCE Casio America, Inc.