Three Piano Giants Share 150th Anniversaries
Steinway, Blüthner and Bechstein is not a law firm. They are three of world’s top 5 piano makers, and despite having widely divergent histories, they share an 1853 birthdate.

The June 7, 2003 issue of the Economist reminds us of this remarkable coincidence, which makes 2003 a year of anniversary celebrations for all three instrument makers.

The companies have remarkable life stories as well as distinguished resumes. Debussy thought that piano music should be written only for Bechsteins. Modern day pianist Martha Argerich swears by Steinways, saying they sometimes "play better than the pianist." Legendary German conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler was a Blüthner man. (And, of course, some artists now insist on Yamahas or Faziolis or other fine instruments not made by this year's anniversarians.)

Steinway pianos [see also our April 19, 2003 Vibrations article] are made in New York City and Hamburg, and they dominate the market for concert grand pianos. This year they produce about the same number of pianos as they did in 1903 -- three thousand grands and about half that many uprights.

The other two companies' fates were intertwined with Germany's fate during World War II.

Blüthner is based near Leipzig, in the East. Their factory was destroyed by bombing in 1943. They resumed production after the war under the watchful eye of Russian occupiers, and even managed to maintain some fraction of private control of the company until complete nationalization in 1972. After reunification, the family bought back the company and still manages it today.

Bechstein, on the other hand, survived the war but not the peace. Helene Bechstein had been a Nazi supporter, so the company was confiscated during the post-war de-nazification period. Its fortunes declined and led to bankruptcy. In the past 10 years it has shown signs of recovery, with demand and production levels rising.

The Economist article ends by suggesting that many artists would argue that tiny Fazioli, in northern Italy, now makes the best instruments. But we'll just end by wishing the venerable three a happy 150th birthday!

Learn more about Blüthner (see also Blüthner Imports US), Bechstein, and Steinway.

Read the Economist article [fee required for non-subscribers]