1846 PLEYEL (Chopin-era Piano)

The name Pleyel is associated with the great Frédéric Chopin, as it was his first choice in a piano.  While Chopin played other quality pianos including Erards, he was known to use his Pleyels almost exclusively for composing as well as teaching his students.  The piano we currently have for sale is the same year and style Pleyel used by Chopin.  The firm provided pianos used by Frédéric Chopin, and also ran a concert hall, the Salle Pleyel, in which Chopin performed his first — and also his last — Paris concerts.  Toward the end of his, when moving to London, Chopin took one grand piano with him--his 1846 Pleyel.

Ignace Pleyel was not only a successful piano designer and manuafactuer, but notable pianist and composer and a once student of  Haydn. Pleyel had composed more than 60 symphonies, a number of string quartets, 8 concertos, 2 operas and various chamber works. 

The piano firm Pleyel et Cie was founded by Ignace and continued by Pleyel's son Camille (1788-1855), a piano virtuoso who became his father's business partner as of 1815.  During the 19th century, Pleyel was a fierce competitor with Erard, both companies claiming to make the finest instruments in Europe.  Erard was an innovator and more progressive than Pleyel, who in contrast believed in holding steadfast to traditional piano building. 

This rare forte piano will be undergoing a careful, museum quality restoration. 

Price furnished upon request, Serious inquiries please.