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Welcome to this week’s post on highlights in piano history. This week we will look at a few of the major industry players of the 19th century in Europe and Asia, most of whom are still represented in the business to this day. As always, if you have questions or come across something interesting that might add to this list, please leave a comment.
The 1800’s
- 1826 – England – Robert Wornum, of London, patented the “piccolo” upright action,which was to become the prototype for all modern upright actions.
- 1853 – Saxony – Julius Bluthner began his piano business in Leipzig. Although not well-educated outside the skills of the piano maker, Bluthner was able to make several major developments in stringing and action design. He published a major treatise on piano making and was appointed Privy Counselor of Commerce by the King of Saxony.
- 1853- Germany – Carl Bechstein, after about 10 years spent working for, and studying under, various piano makers in London and Paris, began his piano business in Berlin. One of his earliest clients was Franz Liszt.
- 1889- Japan – Torakusu Yamaha begins Nippon Gakki Siezo Kabushiki Kwaisha (Japanese Musical Instrument Manufacturing Company) with factories at Hamamatsu, Japan. Nippon Gakki later became Yamaha Corporation, one of the world’s largest piano manufacturers today.
Reference:
Dolge, Alfred. Pianos and their Makers: A Comprehensive History of the Development of the Piano. New York: Dover Publications, 1972. (First edition – Covina: Covina Publishing Co., 1911.)
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