The piano was developed and evolved in Europe with the first piano made by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy about 1700. As the piano gained popularity in the 1800's and early 1900's hundreds of piano makers produced pianos all over the world, with most factories in North America being founded by immigrating Europeans, primarily German.

 

Today, of course, the piano is not as popular as it was, although it is still a very important part of many homes. In North America only a few piano makers survive, while virtually all affordable entry level instruments are made in Asia;  Europe has remained the bastion for truly hand-crafted piano makers. 

 

Legendary companies like Bosendorfer in Austria have been hand-crafting extraordinary instruments for 180 years. Schimmel and Bluthner in Germany, or Estonia pianos are other examples of superior piano s being made by very skilled people using the finest of materials.

 

 

Because it is difficult in a less populous area to support  large display of hand-crafted instruments you will probably have to go to a large center like Toronto to see a suitable selection. Though hand-made pianos will be more expensive then their mass-produced counterparts, remember this is a lifetime investment, and the differences in tone, touch and appearance, are very apparent to beginner or experienced performer.

An attractive development, particularly since the the unification of Germany and the dissolution of the Russian Empire, have been the fact that enterprising companies like Schimmel and Bluthner, have ben establishing factories in other parts of Europe, investing their skills and technologies in these factories, and producing more affordable pianos with many of the qualities of their finest instruments. German companies have even been working with some Chinese manufacturers to produce superior very affordable pianos.

Regardless of which route you want to take, you need to find a reputable dealer that will be able to answer all your questions, assist you in choosing the right piano for your requirements  as well as ensure that your piano is properly pre-serviced, then set up in your home

 

 

Robert Lowrey’s Piano Experts is  Canada’s largest piano retailer and is proud to house an extensive showroom of European pianos. The staff  is well versed in the world of pianos whether they are European or North American, acoustic or digital, upright or grand.

 

There is no better place to begin; you will never see more pianos, and their huge piano workshops are a perfect place to complete your education. Visit www.pianoexperts.com to learn more about what we have to offer or visit us in person and speak to one of our experts.

 

943 Eglinton Avenue East,

Toronto, ON M4G 4B5

1-888-569-7397