Weinbach - A Short History

The Weinbach name was first associated with an organ-making workshop in the Weinbach region of Germany. Founded by Gerhard Wein in 1887 the business quickly grew enough for him to take on two apprentices - who had been working with piano makers in Vienna. Production was soon to move away from organ-building. Instead, pianos became the focus of the operation and by 1893, they were solely making pianos! 

Establishing a firm reputation for quality pianos, demand grew strongly. Soon healthy Weinbach Piano sales led to increased production, expanding sales beyond Europe and into the American market. When Gerhard Wein died, both his sons continued the good work thus ensuring the continuation of family involvement for another generation. 

It is frustrating, that good, hard facts about the development of the Weinbach business during the 1920s- to 1950s is very difficult to find.  Pleased that these esteemed names are preserved but I shall revisit the quest from time to time.

The piano-making giant Petrof, operating in the Czech Republic, added Weinbach pianos to their growing portfolio of piano names.  Using these different names they cater for the complete range of price brackets. In the ever competitive market place of modern business, the ability to satisfy demand across these ranges, provides better sales as a whole. And, it allows names like Weinbach to endure for the foreseeable future.  

© Steve Burden                                                                                            

Petrof - A Short History

Antonin Petrof studied the art of piano making with his uncle, Jan Heitzmann in Vienna. Returning to Bohemia in 1864 established the Petrof Piano Company and began building pianos. The following year his father’s joinery behind the Cathedral of Svaty Duch was repurposed to make it more suited to building pianos.

In 1874 Petrof pianos moved to larger facilities for manufacturing operations, eventually producing their own keyboards and actions. Business was steadily gathering momentum so that in 1894, they began exporting their pianos abroad, and were able to set up a service centre and warehouse in Vienna.

Antonín Petrof was appointed in 1899 to be the court piano maker of Austria-Hungary. The growth of the business continue over the next 20 years so that Petrof expanded their foreign sales - selling to Japan, China, Australia and South America.

1928, Petrof together with the American company Steinway opened a subsidiary in London. When Petrof pianos won the gold medal at the World Exhibition 1934 in Brussels, the Petrof factory employed about 400 people. 

The 100,000th Petrof piano was produced in 1963 and has their research centre for continued scientific development. After a period of state ownership the company was privatised in 1998 and was returned to family control in 2001. 

© Steve Burden