Read on to find out the top five facts about Grotrian Steinweg pianos.
Grotrian Steinweg, known as Grotrian in the US and other parts of the world, is a German piano manufacturer of prestige pianos, based in Braunschweig, Germany. Friedrich Grotrian found the company in 1835, it is still a family-owned business, currently in the fifth and sixth generations. Later, Friedrich teamed up with C.F. Theodor Steinweg, son of Heinrich Steinweg, to build pianos together.
Early 20th Century
Towards the later years of the 1920s, Grotrian Steinweg was making around 3000 pianos annually with a workforce of 1000. However, when the Economic depression hit in the 1930s, the company suffered a great loss, reducing its workforce by over 80% as the demand for pianos dropped; in 1931 alone, the company made less than 500 pianos.
The Test of Time
During the second world war in the 1940s, the Grotrian Steinweg factory in Germany was ordered to manufacture parts for aircraft as part of the war effort. Unfortunately, the factory was completely destroyed in the infamous 1944 bombing of Braunschweig by the British RAF. However, by 1948 the family was able to rebuild the factory and re-establish its reputation for quality craftsmanship.
Notable Admirers
The post-war enthusiasm and perseverance of Helmut and Erwin Grotrian, the sons of Kurt Grotrian did not go unnoticed in the music world. As production had resumed in the late 1940s, infamous composer and pianist Wilhelm Kempff sent a letter of support to Grotrian Steinweg. Kempff, in Brazil at the time, wrote “It seems to me that the Grotrian grand piano has arisen from the ashes with new splendour as far as sonority and exquisite execution are concerned.”
21st Century Pianos
In 1974, the family, under the direction of Helmut’s son Knut built a new factory in North-West Braunschweig on Grotrian-Steinweg Street, where it remains today. It is one of the most modern piano manufacturing facilities in the world, famed for the combination of modern technology and the expertise that has developed across 170 years of experience in the art of piano making.
Grotrian Generations
As of 2015, the company has been in the hands of the fifth and sixth generations of the Grotrian family and is set to remain within the family. It is a tradition that the Grotrian family believe guarantees that all of the Grotrian instruments will continue to endure into the future, as they have done so vehemently in the past. They believe that the company should belong to a very small and select group of piano makers who have worked hard to achieve greatness in piano making, transforming the noble ideals of sound and quality into reality throughout the ages.
Grotrian Steinweg pianos have without doubt stood the test of time and although as a company, they have faced hardship, they have rebuilt and renewed themselves across the centuries with their love of music. Grotrian Steinweg’s premium grand and upright luxury pianos are globally renowned and recognised for their rich sound and even richer craftsmanship.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Grotrian Steinweg pianos we have to offer at Markson Pianos, feel free to contact us today or why not pop into our London piano showroom to try them out.
Our London-based piano experts have been selling a full range of electronic, acoustic and grand pianos for over one hundred years, and we can help determine the right option for you.
