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The patriarch Tale” as it becomes an archipelago of the 1870s, however, will he devote
retrograde States. himself to representing the industrial
Berlin 1853. Friedrich Wilhelm revolution, then painting one of his
Carl Bechstein, a twenty-seven- masterpieces: The Rolling Mill. To a cer-
year-old instrument maker from
Founding a business tain extent, the non-representation of
Gotha, Thuringia, who is related in troubled times particular topics also reveals the spirit
to the writer Ludwig Bechstein of a given time: for example, even
famous for his compilation of Although the period is quite bleak, though Menzel does not represent the
traditional tales and legends, new ideas still arise and feed on the barricades and fires that shook Berlin
decides to live out his dream German spirit of enterprise. Friedrich in 1849, his studies figuring a students’
and make his vision reality: he Krupp runs modern steelworks in Es- torchlight procession can be under-
founds his own business. sen, while August Borsig founds smelt- stood as a discreet allusion to
ing works in Berlin. A new age begins, the riots.
Berlin has not yet forgotten the trou- one of heavy industry, blast furnaces
bles of the 1848 revolution. Frederic and steam railway engines. Nonethe- All in all, 1853 is not the ideal year
William IV, the king of Prussia nick- less, the industrial development suffers for founding a musical instrument
named “the romanticist on the throne,” under a mighty bureaucracy and the business. We do not know exactly how
has not kept his promise: instead of privileges of aristocracy that have not many brave young craftsmen do the
3 granting a liberal constitution to his yet been abolished. same as Carl Bechstein this year — but 4
States, he has just introduced a tax- must bury their dreams under a moun-
based three-class suffrage. His brother In 1854, Hanover finally joins the tain of debts shortly thereafter. None-
(who is to succeed him as Emperor German Customs Union that Prussia theless, Berlin already enjoys a certain
William I) is nicknamed the “Canon initiated three decades earlier. This is aura in the mid-1850s, even though
Prince” ever since he had hundreds of real economical progress, but social it still is not the prestigious cultural
people shot to restore law and order progress does not keep pace: child metropolis that it would later become.
during the 1849 Baden uprising. The labour remains legal as a Prussian law Several decades ago, Romantic poets
Frankfurt parliament, which used to passed the same year merely raises the and philosophers formulated the vision-
gather in the Saint Paul’s Church, has minimum age to twelve years. ary concept of “Athens on the Spree” as
been dissolved and the hope of a uni- the cultural aspect of a political project:
fied Germany is vanishing: all German The paintings by Adolph Menzel while Napoleon was remodelling
States, whether Hesse, Saxony or such provide a good overview of the changes Paris taking the Roman Empire as an
Lilliputian principalities as Lippe- that occur in the mid-19th century. A example, Berlin was to become a new
Detmold, are stagnating and their broad-minded artist with a talent for Athens; a capital city of arts, sciences,
trading is slow due to the high cus- rendering the world around him, Men- poetry and philosophy. As a reaction
toms duties they charge each other. zel mainly paints landscapes, portraits to the political and military hegemony
and genre pictures until the early of the French empire, the famous
Such conditions lead many Germans 1850s. He also gives historic paintings Prussian scientist Humboldt stated:
to emigrate to America, either to and his favourite subject at that time “Science is power.” The idea remains
escape political repression or simply is Frederic II, as we know from several valid in the mid-19th century, and still
to avoid starvation, and in the hope portraits of that king: riding, play- lives on today.
of finding better living conditions on ing the flute, together with his Court
the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. painter Antoine Pesne. In 1847, Menzel Moreover, Berlin is an obligatory station
Among the celebrities who leave paints his two first works that feature for numerous musicians as they travel
Germany but remain in Europe are social and contemporary subjects: a from one European city to another. The
Richard Wagner, who lives in exile in view of the Berlin-Potsdam railway and Prussian well-to-do love music for a
Zurich for political reasons, and the the portrait of two men entitled to suf- simple reason: in a period of political
poet Heinrich Heine who, from his frage. And in 1854, he gives a famous troubles, they seek refuge in music
Parisian “mattress grave,” considers study that depicts Clara Schumann and as it conveys a reassuring image, that
Germany as sinking into “A Winter’s the violinist Joseph Joachim. Not until of the Ancient Cythera. Thus it is not
will write no memoirs in his old age. rich culture-friendly people). We can
Claude Debussy and Johannes Brahms
with Franz Liszt and is just starting his that can withstand as ardent a pianist Liszt, who is to become his wife in the the homes of the well-to-do. On the
performer career. as Liszt. autumn of 1857 — and to marry Richard contrary, uprights are still considered
Wagner later on. Aside from this family somewhat “proletarian.” But Carl
While Bechstein is gluing, planing So Bechstein builds his first concert link, however, Bülow enthusiastically Bechstein, who has understood that
down and varnishing his two first grand piano in 1856. Unverified loves the work by his former teacher, the future belongs to such instruments,
pianos, Bülow is performing in remote sources pretend that this piano was and states that he could only render it asserts his avant-garde approach to
provincial manors and, in his best the hundredth, which is very improb- integrally thanks to Bechstein’s excep- piano-making as early as 1853, as seen
engagement, in the residence of one able since we know that Bechstein is to tional instrument. in the above-mentioned picture that
of the numerous German princes. build only 176 instruments until 1859. depicts him proudly leaning on his first
Although he enjoys a relative local Bechstein is likely to choose a round This memorable concert introduces upright with diagonal strings and a
fame, Bülow remains dependent on number for his first concert grand and Bechstein to the world of Liszt and height of only 120 centimetres.
his mother’s financial support. He is to fill the gap of the serial numbers in Wagner. This is not only to boost sales,
a brilliant performer who pays more the following months. but also to play a key role in the devel- Back to the sensational concert given by
attention to perfect execution than to opment of the company philosophy. In- Bülow in January 1857 on a Bechstein
sound quality. In order to boost his He entrusts this first concert grand to deed, the Sonata in B Minor places very grand piano. On the next day, the
career, he moves to Berlin in 1855 and Bülow and the musician discovers state- high demands on the pianist… and the pianist writes to Liszt that he played
Franz Liszt in concert at Berlin’s Music Academy, caricature, 1842.
succeeds Kullak as piano teacher at the of-the-art piano technology, with iron piano, especially in the final octaves. on an instrument made by “a certain
Music School for Singing, Piano and reinforcements that make the instru- An authentic member of the Liszt Bechstein” that was superior to an
Composition. As he arrives in the Prus- ment extremely sturdy. Performing school, Bülow implements the direct Érard piano. Three weeks later, Bülow
Perau factory he used his rare leisure From an economical point of view, sian capital, he lives “at Adolf Bernhard on Bechstein’s piano from early 1857 power of his arms and hands, which complains in another letter to the
time to learn French. founding a company in Berlin is Marx’s, Behrenstrasse 4, second floor,” onwards, Bülow flies from one success sets him clearly apart from the great maestro that the Bechstein grand has
also the right decision as Prussia is which is in the direct vicinity of Perau’s to the other. The year before, he had pianists of the early Romantic era, most been sold, so that he must find another
7 Provided with strong self-confidence Germany’s largest and most powerful warehouse and Bechstein’s workshop. already performed on a Bechstein (prob- of whom were famous for their gentle one for a concert to be given in Leipzig. 8
and faith in his physical strength, the German State in the mid-19th century. ably Carl’s second grand, built in 1854, play and the agility of their fingers. This marks the birth of a partnership
young Bechstein continues unwaver- This is of crucial importance in a time In April 1855, Bülow writes in a letter which was not a concert instrument and between Bechstein and Bülow that is to
ingly on the path he has chosen. As when every sovereign arbitrarily to Liszt, his venerated teacher, that Ber- had nothing revolutionary) and played Although Carl Bechstein has caught last until their deaths. With this partner-
mentioned above, this way leads him levies customs duties on goods to be lin has “an absolute dearth of passable in private circles on uprights made by the spirit of the time and built uprights ship, Bechstein implements a marketing
from Berlin to London to Paris, then sold on his territory, which severely pianos.” Talking about the instruments his mentor, as such instruments were from the very beginning, he henceforth strategy that was developed by Érard in
back to Berlin again where, in his small impairs the exchange of commodities made by Stöcker, which are highly en acceptable in polite society. endeavours to make concert grand pia- Paris and is sensationally new in Berlin:
workshop on Behrenstrasse, he builds within Germany. Moreover, as Prus- vogue and marketed exclusively by nos that meet the requirements of this he caters for the needs of various artists,
his first two pianos in 1853 within just sia dominates the above-mentioned Kullak in Berlin, Bülow states that they Bülow gives a decisive concert on 22 new, very emotional approach to music. in particular Bülow, of course.
three months. Although it is purely Customs Union, Berlin-based compa- are “the most detestable in the world” January 1857. On this occasion, he Anyway, making uprights is radically
coincidental that his relative Ludwig nies enjoy considerable commercial and of very poor quality compared premieres Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor modern in a time when the public — in All this occurs while the musical ideal
Bechstein publishes his masterpiece, advantages. with those made by Perau. Bülow also although Breitkopf & Härtel already particular in a conservative city like is undergoing radical changes. In 1849,
Deutsches Sagenbuch, in the same year, mentions that as he was hired for a
the fame of the writer is to have posi- Another favourable factor for founding concert by the Gustav Adolph Associa-
tive effects on that of the piano-maker a new piano business is that division tion, a Protestant charity organisation,
in Berlin’s cultivated circles. of labour appears in the piano-making he could chose between a Perau and 1857
industry as early as the mid-19th an excellent piano made by Klemm, a Hans von Bülow, who would later be the first
As soon as he is running his own busi- century: J.C.L. Isermann opened Düsseldorf-based piano-maker that conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
ness, Bechstein uses the contacts he Germany’s first action manufacturing Clara Schumann highly praises. This decisively contributes to the promotion of the
made with noted artists when he was plant in Hamburg in 1842; Charles letter does not mention Bechstein for C. Bechstein pianos. On 22 January 1857, he
working with Perau. These include The- Gehrling and Henry Schwander did the simple reason that Carl was not yet premieres Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor — on an
odor Kullak, piano teacher of the royal the same in Paris nearly at the same making concert grand pianos in 1855. instrument made by Carl Bechstein.
family, who praises Bechstein’s first time; Morgenstern & Kontrade founded
pianos, which boosts their fame. A for- a similar business in Leipzig in 1846; Just like Bechstein, Bülow is on the 1860
mer pupil of Carl Czerny and a “classical and Lexow is to produce piano actions threshold of his career in 1855. The Franz Liszt composes a new type of works for
virtuoso”, Kullak founded the “Music in Berlin from 1854 onwards, just one latter is only twenty-five, the other four piano and Carl Bechstein provides suitable
School for Singing, Piano and Composi- year after Bechstein made his first years older. The year 1856 is particu- instruments. The great composer acquires his
tion” together with violinist Julius Stern instruments. All these companies have larly eventful for Bechstein: he marries, first Bechstein on 8 October 1860. The transac-
and composer Adolf Bernhard Marx standardised their production and can considerably enlarges his workshop in tion appears in the company’s sales ledger
in 1850. (The school is to become the therefore deliver piano actions at more Behrenstrasse and hires more person- with the buyer listed in a sober Prussian style:
famous Stern Conservatory later on.) affordable prices. nel as his business henceforth has a “Kapellmeister Liszt, Weimar.”
listen to his colleague Saint-Saëns play-
Carl Bechstein leaning on a Bechstein
Bechstein grand piano. The transaction and exports to America, Asia, England 1866, Bülow writes to Bechstein: “I cur-
appears in the sales ledger as delivery and Russia. He has sent two excellent rently do not need these two thousand
number 247, with the buyer listed in grand piano models to London. […] We thalers. For heaven’s sake, keep them
sober Prussian style as “Kapellmeister are pleased to report that these instru- and make the best of this money, until
Liszt, Weimar”, without additional ments fired the London public with the devil leaves.”
comment. enthusiasm, so that we can assume
that both models are to sell very well in A glance at the 1865 Bechstein
By the end of 1860, Carl Bechstein has England.” catalogue shows the dimensions of
built three hundred instruments, far the sum that Bülow lends to his friend
fewer than his competitors. Feurig and The modern piano has found its ulti- Carl: an eight-foot concert grand with
Blüthner, two Leipzig-based piano- mate form by this time and all piano- “continuous escapement, string holders
makers, have a considerably more sig- makers endeavour to tie noted pianists and sounding posts” is listed at 700
nificant level of production, the latter to their brands. Bülow, for example, Prussian thalers, while a short grand
reaching the serial number “2500” as enjoys the extremely suave manners of piano is invoiced at 450 thalers and
early as 1853; and Steinway, who built Ludwig Bösendorfer, who is appointed an upright, 280. All prices are with-
his first pianos in Brunswick and began to the imperial Court in Vienna. When out packaging in a “sturdy wooden
production in New York in 1853 with he is touring Russia, he plays on a box provided with screws”, for which
the serial number “483,” has already Becker grand piano made in Saint Pe- Bechstein charges seven or eight tha-
delivered nearly three thousand instru- tersburg and pays tribute to its sound lers depending on the piano model.
ments by this time. This illustrates that and excellent action — even in front
in the first chapter of the company his- of Carl Bechstein. Theodor Steinway Meanwhile, the company’s fame contin-
tory, the commercial success remains also makes various overtures to Bülow, ues to grow — in particular thanks to
modest, which is not truly a problem as but the pianist soon understands that Hans von Bülow — and Carl Bechstein
Carl Bechstein’s goal is rather to create the Brunswick manufacturer intends remains generous despite the fire and
a new sound. A letter that Bülow sends to take him over after he had praised the resulting damage. On the occa-
to Liszt in the autumn of 1860 confirms a Steinway grand on the occasion of sion of Richard Wagner’s birthday, for
11 the piano-maker’s artistic and aesthetic a concert given in Berlin. As of now, example, he offers a grand piano to the 12
success, as the pianist states that he re- Bülow — who can be disarmingly maestro, who had fallen into disfavour
cently played the Sonata in B Minor in straightforward — is to publicly affirm in Vienna and had to flee to Bavaria’s
Leipzig on an “ultrasublime Bechstein.” his preference for “Bechstein’s colour- Louis II in May 1864. In a letter of
The Berlin-based piano-maker has thus ful piano,” even though he continues thanks sent from Munich on 25 May,
paved the way, and in the next decades to speak respectfully of the Steinway Wagner states: “Three years ago, as I
his instruments, with their very special instruments. returned to Germany after a first exile
voice, are to play a decisive role in the and spent a few days in Weimar with
world of music as numerous noted my friend Liszt, I discovered by chance
composers choose them to express
The Bechstein pianos a piano whose crystalline and delight-
themselves. and their very special ful voice pleased and fascinated me
so much that I asked my dear friend
Another milestone in the company’s
voice are to play a Bülow to be so kind and alleviate
history is the Great London Exposition decisive role in the world the sadness of the farewell by ensur-
of 1862. Carl Bechstein is awarded ing that a similar instrument could
several medals although his British
of music over decades. brighten up my new sojourn.”
competitors have a decisive “home
field” advantage. The jury states: “The Bechstein’s success story really starts The “dear friend Bülow” still ignores
remarkable features of Bechstein’s in the early 1860s. When Perau dies in the fact that his wife Cosima and Rich-
instruments are their freshness and 1861, Carl Bechstein acquires his manu- ard Wagner have promised “to belong
freedom of tone, their agreeable play- facture at Johannisstrasse 4 and even exclusively to each other” when they
ing action and their well-balanced buys two adjoining plots and an old met in Berlin in November 1863. Isolde
registers. Moreover, these pianos can building to extend the production site von Bülow, their first child, is born on
withstand the most vigorous play.” An down to Ziegelstrasse, while the ware- 10 April 1865 while Hans premieres
official report by the special commis- house is to remain at Behrenstrasse 56 Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde in Munich
sion of the German Customs Union until its transfer to Johannisstrasse 5 in on 10 June.
further indicates: “C. Bechstein, who 1867. But a few years later, a fire severe-
is appointed to His Majesty the King ly damages the factory and endangers By late 1864, Bechstein sends two
[of Prussia], founded his business in the company’s future as Bechstein had pianos to Bülow, a short grand in oak
August 1853. Within just six years, he borrowed money to finance his invest- and a “wonderfully beautiful” concert
encountered such a success that he ment. With the help of true friends, grand that the pianist plays on stage
international group that produces tics apparatus.” The River Spree still
Upon his death, the Berlin Royal Por- 3500 pianos a year with a staff of flows through Berlin, of course, but the
celain Manufacture, KPM, produces a eight hundred employees. city has given up its dream of being
coffee service with his portrait and the the new Athens. The 20th century that
caption: “Carl Bechstein, 1826–1900.” The three brothers have been members just begins is to drastically alter the
This marks the end of an epoch, and of the board since 1894. Carl Junior country, and with it C. Bechstein.
the end of an autocracy: a new era is Production Manager; Edwin, Sales
begins with the 20th century, as the Manager. After the death of Johannes Yet the new century begins quite
company is henceforth run by his sons in 1906, the family business becomes a auspiciously. In 1903, the year of
— the Bechstein Clan. general partnership. the company’s fiftieth anniversary,
Bechstein runs four factories and
produces more than 4500 pianos a
year. As many as 65,200 upright and
grand pianos have been built since
1853. The company expands and can
even enter the “lion’s den” as it opens
premises in London in 1901: the 550-
seat Bechstein Hall and the adjoining
showroom in Wigmore Street. In the
new venue, the walls are covered with
mahogany wainscoting, structured
by pilasters in Numidian marble and
17 topped with a frieze in red Verona 18
marble. A fresco by Gerald Moira and
Frank Lynn Jenkins that depicts the
Spirit of Music reaching his hands to-
wards the Genius of Harmony adorns
the half-cupola above the semicircular
stage. London’s Bechstein Hall hosts
as many as three hundred concerts in
the year following its opening.
prepare himself. He was so anxious five hundred. It is particularly suitable model, to underscore Carl Bechstein’s In the early 20th century, the British
that he might lose his memory due to for intimate concerts such as piano outstanding position in “Athens on the Empire absorbs the major part of the
the pain that he had no other solution recitals, chamber music or lieder, but Spree.” Electricity is available from the company’s exports, and Queen Victoria
but to play for hours. That day was an can also host lectures. It surely satis- very beginning but the stately staircase orders a gilt grand piano that she
agony. As he left home for the concert fies a need of Berlin’s musical life. […] is not completed until 1893. (Bechstein personally adorns with miniatures.
hall he said: ‘Anyone who would shoot The structure, built to plans by Court Hall was entirely destroyed in an air The Bechstein showroom in London is
me in my head tonight would be my architect Schwechten, has not only raid in 1944.) located in a building of thirty-five by
friend.’ Hermann Wolf invited Berlin’s exquisite decoration, but also excel- sixty-five metres that is lavishly deco-
high society for the inauguration of the lent acoustics, as evidenced during the In the mid-1890s, Carl Bechstein has rated, of course. For example, stained
new concert hall on 4 October 1892, three inauguration concerts that we a yearly income of more than 300,000 glass windows with coats of arms of
but nobody knew that it was to be describe in detail below. Schwechten marks and a fortune of nearly 4.75 mil- German noble families are visible at
Bülow’s swan song, his farewell to the probably took his inspiration from our lions. His business flourishes, so that the first floor.
scene. Never again did Hans von Bülow Sing Academy: as you enter Bechstein he has a new factory build in Reichen-
play for a rapt audience. The great Hall, you could believe that you are berger Strasse in Berlin-Kreuzberg in Everything changes with the First World
piano master, who was able to reveal to entering a smaller version of that acad- 1897. But he dies three years later on 6 War. As the British government ordered
those who listened to him their interior emy.” Bechstein Hall is designed in the March 1900, having survived his wife the confiscation of all subsidiaries of
treasures of spirituality, fell silent style of the Italian Renaissance. Corin- by only three months, and is buried German companies in the UK, Bechstein
forever after this evening.” thian columns structure the white and in the family plot in Sophienfriedhof, Hall and its showroom are sold in No-
golden walls. Rich stucco works adorn the local Protestant graveyard. His vember 1916. Debenham Ltd organises
An article in Neue Zeitschrift für Musik the ceiling. In a niche behind the stage exceptional career, typical of an entre- the auction and Sir James Boyton MP
describes Berlin’s Bechstein Hall as fol- is a statue of Polyhymnia, a work by preneur of the second half of the 19th conducts it. Within just four minutes,
lows: “It is not gigantic, as it seats only Professor Calandrelli after an ancient century, was built on self-confidence View of London’s Bechstein Hall with its showroom at the golden age of piano (today’s Wigmore Hall). Sir Howard Frank acquires the estate
Stately gilt piano in Louis-Quinze style — a masterpiece ordered by Queen Victoria.
Saint Petersburg, London, Paris, Berlin
Famous pianos
19 for 56,500 pounds sterling. It is a good piano is priced at 25,000 marks and in to turn their backs on Bechstein. This 20
deal, especially as the 104 grand pianos the autumn of 1921, a plain model 10 applies in particular to the violinist
and the thirty uprights in the building upright costs as much as 30,000 marks. Fritz Kreisler, who appreciated the
have a retail value of 350,000 pounds, The German currency drops in value Bechstein pianos as a composer.
while the tuning and maintenance so rapidly that Bechstein decides to
contracts are worth more than six thou- deliver the instruments “free of charge Moreover, Helene Bechstein fre-
sand pounds a year. The building keeps until revocation.” quently sojourns at Munich’s Vier
its emblazoned windows, however, Jahreszeiten Hotel, an exquisite resort
and still functions as a concert venue — Nonetheless, the “Bechstein clan” still where numerous sycophants gather
today’s Wigmore Hall — even though a commands a considerable fortune and around her. Occasionally she invites
restaurant is set up in the ground floor Edwin’s wife, Helene Bechstein, née a young Austrian politician named
and an insurance company moves to Capito, enjoys a particularly lavish Adolf Hitler. We do not know exactly if
the first floor. lifestyle. Edwin had left the com- she or Elsa Bruckmann, the wife of a
rich Munich publisher, nicknames the
young man “Wolf”, but it is ascer-
In the early 20th century, the British Empire absorbs the tained that Winifred Wagner, the great
composer’s daughter-in-law, has noth-
major part of the company’s exports, and Queen Victo- ing to do with the nicknaming.
ria orders a gilt grand piano that she personally adorns
Munich police question Helene Bechstein
with miniatures. in 1924 in the aftermath of the Beer
Hall Putsch attempted by Hitler. She
The First World War radically alters pany in 1916 due to conflicts with his admits that she gave him money that,
the company, as the showroom in Paris brother Carl Junior and was paid off. together with the sums provided by
that has opened in 1903 at 334 rue When C. Bechstein is made a public Elsa Bruckmann and Frau von Seydlitz,
Saint-Honoré is likewise confiscated. limited company in 1923, he acquires the wife of a rich businessman, con-
Moreover, the production collapses af- shares, probably together with his stituted the bond required by Bremen-
ter the war, while the Weimar Republic wife, as Helene Bechstein repeatedly based coffee merchant Richard Frank
has to face various crises and to pay speaks in the company’s name during to provide the agitator with a loan so
considerable war reparations in dollars, the 1920s. But diplomatic tact is not that he could transform the weekly
so that inflation increases as of 1919: in her strength and her deep-rooted anti- Völkischer Beobachter into a daily paper.
May of the next year, a model V grand Semitism prompts famous musicians And while Hitler is jailed in Landsberg,
View of the Bechstein showroom in Wigmore Street. Delivery of a Bechstein grand piano at Berlin’s Reichstag. A pioneering instrument. The Bechstein-Moór, a visionary instrument. Professor Nernst, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, develops an electronic system for Bechstein.
Winifred Wagner sends him paper so hours: the Bechstein grand piano”. The dollars to 42 marks or 1/2790 kg of performs works by Liszt with the early as 1926, titled Birth of a Piano, in the left one generates either “cembalo”
that he can write Mein Kampf. reporter also states that tuning the in- fine gold for one mark according to the uppermost elegance. An artist whose order to “heighten the interest of the or “celesta” sound. The instrument is
strument was not necessary, even after rate at the London Stock Exchange on sensitivity resonates exclusively to public for the piano and serve both fitted with a radio and a turntable, both
Due to her contacts with the Führer, its transport across the ocean. Natu- the day of sale). the sound of piano, Busoni can only the world of music and our industry.” of which use the integrated amplifier
Helene Bechstein will be sentenced rally, Wanamaker’s organises a press write his Sketch of a New Aesthetic This forty-minute film is provided with and loudspeaker. Oskar Vierlin, one
to a 30,000-mark fine by a civilian conference and invites New York’s high The 1920s are also the golden age of of Music because of the instrument “censorship by the government” and a of the most inventive piano-makers of
denazification court after the Second society to celebrate the event. the transatlantic liners and Bechstein he favours. As for Schnabel, he most “projection lamp.” the early 20th century, is entrusted
World War. Moreover, she will live at pianos, solidly affixed to the bridge to likely uses a Bechstein as he composes with the making of the Neo-Bechstein’s
the foot of Obersalzberg, Hitler’s favou- In May 1929, a Chippendale grand piano withstand the ups and downs of the his wonderful String Quartet and his In 1929, Bechstein launches a truly conventional components.
rite location in the German Alps, until is loaded on board the Graf Zeppelin ocean, contribute to the well-being Sonata for Solo Violin, a grandiose and novel instrument developed in collabo-
her death in 1951. The contacts of this airship, and a gilt instrument with of the passengers. The Bremen, for extremely modern work from 1919 that ration with the Hungarian pianist and C. Bechstein, a company that had co-
21 member of the “Bechstein clan” to the paintings à la Watteau leaves Berlin to example, thus becomes a travelling is in part inspired by the musician’s inventor Emánuel Moór: the Bechstein- operated with a great pianist in the 22
dictator and other high-ranking Nazi represent Bechstein at the Barcelona festival with musical highlights such as contacts with Carl Flesch, his chamber Moór piano. Just like an organ, this mid-19th century, now collaborates
personalities may have prompted some International Exposition. The times are Wagner’s Flying Dutchman or Mozart’s music partner. Many other compos- “monstrosity” has two keyboards, the with a Nobel laureate, which says a lot
to assume that C. Bechstein flourished not hard for everybody despite the A Little Night Music. Although economic ers of modern classical music also second an octave higher than the first. about the company’s philosophy. In
during that period, but a glance at crisis, and the Spanish general importer troubles overshadow the first and last favour Bechstein, some of them using According to Moór, the instrument is 1931, the technology magazine Signalen
the production figures shows that the intends to sell the piano to a rich banker years of the decade, numerous pianists a revolutionary notation method: the ideal for playing Bach. The invention writes: “On 25 August, Professor Nernst
company faced the same difficulties as as soon as it arrives in the Catalan remain true to “their” Bechstein — in- twelve-note composition that takes into arouses curiosity — and is a commercial presented the Bechstein-Siemens-
its competitors in the 1930s. capital city. By this time, Bechstein cluding such stars as Ferruccio Busoni, account all notes of the chromatic scale disaster. Nernst piano before numerous
converts prices either in dollar or in Artur Schnabel, Wilhelm Backhaus, and uses tone rows, i.e. an ordering of guests who gathered at the Bechstein
Let us return to the 1920s. Hope is gold, which is quite complicated (10 Alfred Cortot and Emil von Sauer, who the twelve pitches. Another invention could be more suc- showroom near Berlin’s Zoo Station.
again possible as inflation is brought cessful as it is clearly futuristic. This The novel instrument is surprisingly
under control at the end of the decade, True to the company’s tradition, ancestor of today’s digital pianos is de- versatile, as it is even provided with a
even though high customs duties C. Bechstein continues to innovate, veloped in collaboration with Walther radio and a loudspeaker.” But despite
impair exports to the UK, while the although the upright and grand pianos Nernst, Nobel laureate in chemistry in its sensational features, the new piano
Soviets prohibit the import of pianos have kept their shapes since the late 1920, who is considered the founder model is another commercial disaster.
to Russia. Nonetheless, after several 1870s. For example, the company of modern physical chemistry. Nernst This is quiet surprising as it is suitable
setbacks in the US, Bechstein finally produces an instrument that uses the is primarily famous for establishing for broadcasting and recording without
establishes a very promising contact Welte-Mignon technology that pretends the Third Law of Thermodynamics, external microphones — and even
in New York, as stated in an article to make the pianist superfluous — at which deals with temperatures near cheaper than the smallest Bechstein
published on 18 December 1928 in the least for reproducing the recordings absolute zero, and for inventing a upright of the day. The reason might
New Yorker Herold, a German-speaking made on paper rolls. The great Eugen bulb that emits white light. Siemens be that the Neo-Bechstein is too far
newspaper: “When a famous depart- d’Albert, who stated that he “owed & Halske supplies the electrotechnical ahead of its time: the market for elec-
ment store like Wanamaker’s publicly everything to the marvellous Bechstein components of the novel piano, so that tronic pianos, while considerable today,
announces that it has the honour of grand pianos”, records several works the instrument is called by some the barely occupies a niche in the early
being the exclusive dealer for a certain on this instrument. “Siemens-Nernst piano” and by others, 1930s. When Nernst dies in 1941, all
product, it must know what it says — the “Neo-Bechstein.” On this 1.4-meter his calculations for this ground-break-
and we can be sure that the product in At the same time, Bechstein is inter- grand piano without soundboard, groups ing instrument are lost forever.
question is something quite exception- ested in a new medium, the cinema, of five strings are placed under micro-
al. We were therefore overjoyed when as silent films require a piano to phones that convert the vibrations In the aftermath of the Wall Street
we discovered that the product was underscore the emotional charge of produced by “micro-hammers” hitting Crash of 1929, a severe worldwide
something that we all know and highly the images. Moreover, the company the strings into electrical signals. The depression hits Germany by late 1932,
value as the companion of delightful Advertising leaflet for the documentary film Birth of a Piano. commissions an advertising film as right pedal controls the volume, while prompting Bechstein to develop new
dealings with high-ranking Nazi will sell his twenty-five percent of the Sales remain relatively moderate in the
Luxury Bechstein showroom in Berlin
personalities has a positive influence company’s shares to Baldwin in the early 1950s, but the pianos integrate
on the sale of the real estate. We can 1970s. the traditional Bechstein quality. In
only repeat that her attitude did not in 1954, conductor Sergiu Celibidache
any way boost the sales of pianos, nor Immediately after the German capitula- buys a short grand piano for his
the activity of the company’s Propeller tion, the occupation authorities compel Mexico City residence and is imme-
department. Bechstein to use its remaining stocks diately fired with enthusiasm. And in
of wood to make coffins — a decision 1957, the third Bechstein exported to
On the contrary, Bechstein loses a with a highly symbolic dimension. The Japan is acquired by none other than
substantial number of its traditional policy of the US occupying forces fol- Yamaha, who uses the instrument in its
customers through the persecution lows various goals at that time: on the own concert hall. The economic activity
and expropriation of the German Jews, one hand “re-educating” the Germans is so favourable that the board decides
followed by their deportation and and teaching them democracy, on the to build a second factory in October
murder in the Nazi camps, as having other acquiring German patents to 1954. Just a few months later, the Mes-
a Bechstein in one’s living room was a be exploited by the civil and military sina Declaration paves the way to the
must in well-to-do Jewish families be- industries while opening the German foundation of the Common Market, so
fore the war. And what happened to the market for US products. that when the new production site is
instruments left in Germany by people inaugurated in Karlslruhe-Killisfeld in
who emigrated or were deported? Ac- Two iconic photographs that illustrate October 1959, the European Economic
cording to the terminology of the Nazi “music on the battle field” acquired Community — the precursor of today’s
administration, they were considered worldwide fame and now belong the EU — has existed for two years under
“Jewish property without proprietor” — collective memory. The first picture the Treaty of Rome. The decision to
and were stolen during the looting of shows an American soldier noncha- build this new factory with a total area
the abandoned apartments. We do not lantly leaning on a dirty grand piano, of 1800 square metres is particularly
know, for example, what became of Wagner’s instrument in Villa Wahn- judicious as West Berlin is cut off from
Artur Schnabel’s two grand pianos, nor fried after the seizure of Bayreuth by the rest of the Federal Republic after
the instruments used by the compos- the US Army. The second photograph the construction of the Berlin Wall in
ers Ralph Benatzky and Jean Gilbert. pictures happy GIs singing around an August 1961, which results in a lack of
Moreover, after the Second World War, upright, the Victory Vertical model skilled workers in the former German
23 most of the musicians who emigrated specially built by Steinway for the capital city. 24
permanently turned their backs on purpose of entertaining the troops.
“Haus am Zoo,” the Bechstein showroom located at one of the cities best addresses. what had been their favourite piano Under such conditions, it is easily In the late 1960s, the Berlin and Karls-
brand before the Holocaust. understandable that the new begin- ruhe factories make nearly one thou-
ning will be anything but simple for sand instruments a year with revenues
marketing strategies. Some instru- plans of a futuristic building for the Salz- in 1934. Instead, the Berlin factory C. Bechstein. of approximately 4.5 million marks.
ments are then described as “made burg festival, which was never built. produces a 140-centimeter grand that The New Beginning The commercial results are highly
with a considerable, yet provisional, Carl Bechstein Junior, who had the is also tailored to the needs of the Brit- Piano production does not resume until satisfactory, so that the board decides
reduction of manpower”. This does not idea of the new showroom, has to face ish middle-class and sells in London The Second World War is a disas- December 1951, more than six years to build a third factory in Eschelbronn,
help much: Bechstein sells only some the opposition of his brother Edwin, for the equivalent of 630 marks, nearly ter for Germany in general and after the end of the war. Within the also in Baden-Württemberg. By that
4500 pianos between 1930 and 1935, who ultimately leaves the company. fifteen times as much as the weekly Bechstein in particular. Berlin is framework of the European Recovery time Bechstein is exporting nearly half
and production drops as low as 3900 in Henceforth, the board of directors wages of a Bechstein worker. By this repeatedly the target of large air Programme, or Marshall Plan, the of its production, but the customers are
the next five years. This demonstrates is composed of Carl Junior and his time, Selfridges (Oxford Street) and raids by the Royal Air Force and company was granted credits, could waiting up to six months for delivery.
once again that the company does not son Carl III (who joined the board Harrods (Brompton Road) are selling the US Air Force that destroy not acquire a modern machine park and
benefit from Helene Bechstein’s admi- in 1919), Hans Joachim Gravenstein Bechstein pianos, and the latter depart- only the factory in Reichenberger moved to a new production site of The true revival starts in 1971 when
ration of Adolf Hitler. (Grete Bechstein’s husband), and Erich ment store even markets them in its six Strasse, but also the major part of eight thousand square metres. Despite Leonard Bernstein tours Germany with
Klinkerfuss. Carl Junior dies in 1931, subsidiaries in Argentina. Nonetheless, the company’s stocks of wood. the war damage, it still has a stock of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
In the same period, the company’s Edwin in 1934. sales in Great Britain suffer from the precious raw materials: wood cut in the playing Ravel’s Concerto in G Major ex-
internal situation is particularly un- anti-German sentiment that is to grow After the end of the war, the ruins of 1930, including valuable planks from clusively on a Bechstein, while another
comfortable. In 1926, new conflicts tear Of course, the company endeavours to after Hitler seizes power in 1933. the Bechstein factory are located in Romanian trees that are excellent for virtuoso, Jorge Bolet, also favours the
apart the “Bechstein clan”, in particular adapt to the structural changes of the the American sector of Berlin. The US making pinblocks and soundboards. Berlin brand for his concerts.
because of the new showroom at the market. In 1926, Bechstein launches That year is a disaster for C. Bechstein, military authorities commandeer the
crossroads Kurfürstendamm/Harden- the Liliput, a grand piano with a length as sales collapse. The company is remaining production facilities and Two years later, C. Bechstein organises In 1973, Baldwin changes the legal
bergstrasse, one of Berlin’s most posh of only 165 centimetres. In the early restructured the next year and Helene place the company under trusteeship a dazzling event to celebrate its 100th status of C. Bechstein from a public to a
and expansive locations, right in front 1930s, the London subsidiary, which Bechstein becomes the main share- until 1951. Lieselotte and Edwin Otto anniversary at the Titaniapalast, the private limited company. Manager Max
of Emperor William Memorial Church. reopened in 1924 as “Bechstein Piano holder. In order to increase the capital Bechstein, Helene’s children, inherit venue that provisionally hosts Berlin Matthias withdraws from the board,
The building is a work by Hans Poelzig, Company Ltd,” produces an even stock, she decides to sell the real estate their mother’s shares after her death, Philharmonic Orchestra directed while Wilhelm Arndt, the former sales
the architect who modernised the shorter grand piano (138 centimetres) on Johannisstrasse to the Prussian but these remain under US control. In by Wilhelm Furtwängler. The hall is manager, remains with the company
Schauspielhaus theatre on behalf of to match the small dimensions of Brit- state — whose Minister-President is 1963, most of them, as well as shares of overcrowded on 21 November 1953 as and becomes a mere managing director
Max Reinhard, built Berlin’s Broadcast- ish living rooms. But the poor quality nobody else than Air Field Marshall the Golddiskontbank, are handed over Wilhelm Backhaus plays five works as all decisions are henceforth taken
ing House and the headquarters of disappoints both the dealers and the Hermann Goering. We do not know ex- to the Cincinnati-based piano manufac- by Beethoven, including the profound by Baldwin in the United States. The
IG Farben in Frankfurt, and drew the customers, so that production stops actly to what extent Helene Bechstein’s turer Baldwin. Edwin Otto Bechstein Piano Sonata No 32, op. 111. advantage of the company reorganisa-
take over the traditional Berlin brand
and run it independently. To that end,
he develops a financing plan with a
Berlin bank, and becomes Bechstein’s
new owner in May 1986.
during events scheduled over ten days, century or even more? prepared to pay for it.
giving excellent and exciting concerts.
Hans von Bülow, the dear friend of the In the meantime, C. Bechstein has Another novelty is the growing influ-
company founder, would most likely become Europe’s leading manufacturer ence of the Russian school. The trend
have appreciated the programme, as it of upright and grand pianos. The com- was already discernible before the
includes compulsory works by Bach and pany reaps not only the assets, but also implosion of the Soviet Union, and has
Beethoven. Moreover, during the semi- the disadvantages of globalisation. By gained importance ever since as many
finals the candidates must perform a the end of the first decade of the 21st young pianists moved to Central and
piano concerto by Mozart together with century, it co-operates with the best Western Europe. The Russian school’s
a string quartet to demonstrate their suppliers the world over, selected and main characteristic is a vivid and power-
skills as soloists and chamber musi- continuously monitored by a special ful play that strongly contrasts with the
cians — a procedure that Mozart himself team. Moreover, Bechstein organises “jeu perlé” of the French tradition that
planned when composing some of his training sessions for the suppliers to still bears the influence of the lute and
concertos. The first prize is awarded to ensure that they are able to meet the harpsichord players of the 18th century.
Evgeny Bozhanov, a young Bulgarian company’s strict quality specifications.
pianist who wins 15,000 euros, a sum Concerning just the soundboard, for The new C. Bechstein model D concert
that clearly indicates that this competi- example: the plywood that the supplier grand piano takes these developments
tion intends to rank among the main delivers for processing by Bechstein into account, as illustrated by the
international events from the outset. must be made of spruce grown in Eu- following two examples: while the
ropean mountains at a certain altitude; agraffes of the treble strings were a
The year 2006 also brings another and according to Bechstein’s specifica- characteristic of the Bechstein instru-
change in the company’s financial tions, it must dry in a climatic chamber ments for decades, they are replaced
structure because in the previous for six to twelve months (uprights) or on the model D by capo bars integrated
autumn, Karl Schulze and his wife even two years (concert grand pianos). into the cast iron frame; moreover, the
Berenice Küpper re-acquired half of As regards the hammerheads, the dry- new concert grand piano is provided
the shares owned by Samick. Thus ing times are three months for uprights with a duplex scale that increases the
Bechstein’s CEO and Marketing Direc- and six months for grand pianos. Such vibrating length of the strings, thus
29 tor together hold nearly thirty percent examples show that the just-in-time improving the instrument’s voice. 30
of the company’s capital, so that Samick processes used by businesses serving
becomes merely a financial investor industry, who transfer their ware- This alone would not be sufficient and
with only 19.5 percent of the shares — houses to lorries that deliver at the just as in Carl Bechstein’s day, per-
and without a blocking minority. very last minute, are not possible at the sonal commitment remains paramount.
Bechstein factory, where craftsman- But while the company founder only
View of the closing event of the First C. Bechstein International Piano Competition at Essen’s Philharmonic Hall in 2006. The first decade of the 21st century is ship and handwork still play a crucial left Berlin on rare occasions once his
truly incredible. Future generations role in the production processes. business was running, today’s CEO
will probably consider it the most
Bechstein and suggested a collabora- eration enables the traditional Berlin edition is held at venues in the Ruhr fast-paced period of human history.
tion between both businesses. This was company to produce the low-segment region: Duisburg’s Theatre, Dortmund’s The world changes its face every day: How can a piano-making company survive under such
not surprising as Samick had founded instruments in Asia and acquire com- Konzerthaus, Essen’s Philharmonic Indian magnates take over a European
a joint venture with Baldwin in 1983, ponents for the mid-segment pianos at Hall and Folkwang Conservatory. The steel group and a traditional British car
conditions? How can it produce instruments that last
the Korean-American Musical Instru- attractive prices, whereby the qual- competition is placed under the patron- brand; major Russian energy providers for decades and fascinate pianists over one century or
ments Corporation, which produced ity of such components is constantly age of pianist and conductor Vladimir sign delivery contracts with a num-
66,000 instruments the following year. monitored. Samick, on the other hand, Ashkenazy; its artistic director is Boris ber of European countries; the media
even more?
After a restructuring performed in benefits from the prestigious aura of Bloch, who teaches piano at the Folk- report as much on China as on the US;
2002, Samick has now a staff of three the great German brand. Another asset wang Conservatory; among the jury everybody talks about globalisation, The taste of music aficionados also must fly to Moscow if he hopes to sell
thousand, runs production facilities of the new co-operation is the open- members are the pianists Idil Biret and whereby some advocate it while oth- changes during the first decade of the a concert grand to the city’s opera.
in Seoul, Djakarta and Shanghai, and ing of a showroom in Korea: Seoul’s Kyrill Gerstein, as well as the composer ers — in particular NGOs — drastically 21st century. In Central and Western Likewise, it is necessary to maintain a
manufactures 50,000 upright and Bechstein Center. Alexander Tchaikovsky, artistic director oppose it. In such a context, running Europe, as well as in Canada and the constant dialogue with great pianists,
grand pianos a year, as well as numer- with Moscow Philharmonic Society. a business requires rapid decision- US, people increasingly appreciate con- whereby major events like the yearly
ous electronic pianos and half a million Bechstein’s 150th anniversary was making to alter the course whenever certs given on “authentic instruments,” piano festival of La Roque d’Anthéron,
guitars. Moreover, the subsidiary an opportunity to celebrate, but the The event is immediately well received necessary. A company that invests in i.e. historic pianos or replicas, whereby in the south of France, provide a good
Samick America markets the instru- upsets of the world economy made it by the public, as 250 young pianists a country to take advantage of low per- the latter are sometimes better. Most opportunity to do so. Therefore, trips
ments successfully in the US. impossible to perform a detailed review from fifty-five countries apply — which sonnel costs must sometimes change of these instruments are unique pieces from Berlin to Seoul are just a facet of
of the company’s glorious past. Three is quite unusual for a new competition. its mind and withdraw its investment made by craftsmen. Another change Karl Schulze’s many outward activities
According to a contract that takes ef- years later, in 2006, Bechstein reso- Berenice Küpper, Bechstein’s sales due to political insecurity, general cor- is the increased size of the concert in the first decade of the 21st century.
fect in January 2003, Samick acquires lutely faces the future as it institutes manager and an experienced pianist, ruption, lack of skills in the workforce halls in Europe, Russia, Asia and the
Bechstein shares while Karl Schulze the C. Bechstein International Piano who initiated the competition, is satis- or simply increasing transport costs. US. Such venues have special acous- In late 2008, severe turbulences shake
and his wife Berenice Küpper partici- Competition and decides to repeat fied: such a success shows that the How can a piano-making company tic properties that require powerful the economic world and their end is
pate in Samick’s capital. This co-op- the event every fourth year. The first name “Bechstein” remains prestigious survive under such conditions? How instruments with a rich, colourful voice. not in sight, but at least tariff barriers
same period, the W.Hoffmann range The Bechstein Academy range meets eight-foot grand piano, but delivers a
is redesigned, enlarged and integrally their requirements as regards sturdi- much more powerful sound volume.
made at the Czech production site as of ness and intensive use in a profes- As a result of the new strategy, star
sional context. For example, the model pianists the world over again favour
Master-class concert service
The greatest pianists of yesterday and today have signed Bechstein’s visitors’ book.
goods. Furthermore, Bechstein initiates years in the making — is to be exhibited make pianos with a precious voice that
a co-operation with a Chinese partner on the occasion of the company’s 160th have been considered musical jewels
for producing — under the supervision anniversary in 2013. This exceptional for more than one and a half century.
of a German team — very affordable instrument made exclusively after a
instruments to be exclusively sold on few historic photographs will demon- Bechstein thus remains true to itself.
the Asian market. strate the exceptional expertise of a The epitome of excellent quality, the
company backed with a sound tradition company builds on its glorious tradi-
As of 2012, the company focuses on when it comes to remake a prestigious tion and courageously faces the future
two product lines: the “C. Bechstein” grand piano. as it pioneers new opportunities. Its
pianos on the one hand, masterpieces intention is to keep alive the European
with a powerful voice that are made in Today, C. Bechstein is the last manu- sound, that of the Old World, despite all
craftsmanship processes using materi- facturer of top-quality pianos to have vicissitudes of history. Such a philoso-
als of exceptional quality; and on the its capital in the hands of German phy perfectly corresponds to the ideas
other the “Bechstein” instruments that shareholders, while Asian investors of outstanding personalities such as
are made in Germany and embody the now control all of its competitors. Carl Bechstein, Hans von Bülow, Franz
company’s tradition with their noble Moreover, the traditional Berlin-based Liszt, Ferrucio Busoni, Artur Schnabel
and singing voice. company took measures to ensure its and Wilhelm Backhaus — visionary
future: Stefan Freymuth, the new main ideas that go far beyond any revenue
A replica of the famous gilt piano shareholder, promised to preserve the considerations.
Liszt’s grand piano after its restoration by Bechstein. delivered to Queen Victoria — three potential that enables Bechstein to
Text by Norbert Ely, revised by Bechstein
English version: ÜMS Berlin
© 8 | 2012 C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG
Kantstrasse 17 | 10623 Berlin | Germany
www.bechstein.com