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Pianoforte Makers
The word piano is a shortened form of pianoforte, the Italian term for the early 1700s versions of the instrument, which in turn derives from gravicembalo col piano e forte and fortepiano. The Italian musical terms piano and forte indicate "soft" and "loud" respectively,
Piano making was originally a cottage industry, the makers working from home, but n the nineteenth century it gradually developed into an industry with dedicated factories, such as Broadwood’s in Horseferry Road, Westminster.
This is a Universal project - please add pianoforte makers and people with related occupations to the project - regardless of country. It is not necessary to add all profiles linked to the list below, but those of renown or references found of interest would be welcome.
Not included in this project's scope - Pianists; Pianoforte teachers;
Related Occupations
Piano Dealers - Besides the makers, another group of tradesmen developed, that of piano dealers. One such is the firm of John Browne who probably started out small, but in 1836 announced that at his Pianoforte Repository at 27 Soho Square he had “a valuable stock of superior cottage, cabinet, square, and grand piano-fortes” and anyone wishing to obtain a genuine Broadwood, would “find at this Repository the most extensive assortment in Town”. In another advertisement he said that the “Repository was established expressly for the sale of Broadwood’s Pianofortes”.
Pianoforte Back Maker
Pianoforte Finisher
Pianoforte French Polisher
Pianoforte Key Maker
Pianoforte Stringers
Pianoforte Tuner
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List of Pianoforte Makers
References found which haven't been checked against Geni profiles
A
B
- John Bagnall - Canadian, born in Staffordshire - wnt to Canada in 1862 John Bagnall - Victoria's first pianoforte maker
- Adam Beyer - one of the most prolific and successful piano makers in London during the eighteenth century.
- John Browne - born in Yarmouth, can be found in London at least from 1836 onwards - see https://londonstreetviews.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/john-browne-pian...
C
D
E
F
- Arthur Ferdinando (1860-1925) Ferdinand(o) Pianoforte Manufacturers
G
H
- Richard C. Hornung (1902-1990) belonged to a long line of piano craftsmen: the extended family of the pioneering Danish piano maker, C. C. Hornung. - http://mshepherdpiano.com/antique-piano-tools/hornung/
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
- Albert Weber - Weber Piano Company - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weber_Piano_Company
- Wiedhoft
X-Y-Z
List of piano brand names - from all over the world. This list also includes names of old instruments which are no longer in production.
References
To be explored
- VICTORIAN COTTAGE PIANOS & earlier
- Genealogy and the Piano makers
- Ferdinand(o) Pianoforte Manufacturers
- http://www.sussexbarn.com/wied/gen3/Emily.htm
this project is in History Link 