Pleyel:

The story of Pleyel began in 1807 and over two centuries later, the name is inextricably linked to countless celebrities who have forged Pleyel into tradition. The legendary name comes from Ignaz Pleyel, born on 18 June 1757 in Ruppersthal, Austria, and noticed at a young age for his musical skills. Later, when he became a French citizen, his name would change to Ignance.

At the age of 50, Ignance Pleyel started his own workshop but, unfortunately, sales of the instruments faltered. Musically, Ignance fared better than business-wise until in 1824 his son Camille joined his father in the adventure of Pleyel pianos. With thorough reorganisation and innovative work, he made the company grow rapidly.

Chopin, the ambassador of prestige. The legendary composer inextricably linked himself with the Pleyel brand in 1832. The touch of the Pleyel pianos was in perfect harmony with Chopin's playing, sometimes airy and refined and sometimes with measured violence. Chopin's effort was the march to worldwide success, and by 1855 the brand was producing 1,400 pianos a year

After the death of Camille Pleyel in 1855, Pleyel came into the possession of Auguste Wolff. He further developed the company with a large new factory and unprecedented technicality that today still form the basis of the piano how we know it today, such as the cast-iron frame, among others. In 1889, Pleyel sold its 100,000th piano, an exceptional title of honour and the first piano manufacturer to achieve it. Success propelled on until 1929, when Pleyel fell into severe crisis, leading to a bankruptcy petition in 1933. Despite this filing, production continued on a very small scale until 2013. In just a few very unique instruments for a wealthy clientele.