1845 PLEYEL (Chopin-Era Piano)

An Historically Important Museum-Quality Instrument

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 and teaching.  The piano we currently have for sale is the same year and style Pleyel used by Chopin.  In addition to piano manufacturing, the Pleyel firm ran a concert hall, the Salle Pleyel, in which Chopin performed his first — and also his last — Paris concerts.  During Chopin's final concert tour, he took one grand piano with him to England--his 1846 Pleyel.

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

Although the piano firm Pleyel et Cie was founded by Ignace, his son Camille (1788-1855), became a partner in 1815. Camille was a piano virtuoso and became a friend of Chopin.  During the 19th century, Pleyel and Erard were fierce competitors, both companies claiming to make the finest instruments in Europe.  Both makers were held in the highest regard. For additional information about Chopin’s Pleyels, see Shaffer Pianos Pleyel page. 

This rare forte piano is currently undergoing a careful, quality restoration.  It has a fine Rosewood case with lovely banding in excellent condition-elegant, hand-carved legs tapered to solid brass casters.  The action has been totally restored to maintain its historical importance while allowing the piano to play well and sound like it did in 1845.  At Shaffer Pianos, we blend the need for historical perseveration with the belief that these instruments need to function like the great pianos they once wear.  One of the most important qualities of Chopin era Pleyels was the hammer coverings.  The type of wood used on the hammer mouldings and the coverings, are important determinants in the touch weight and tonal quality.  These characteristics of 19th century Pleyels were of the utmost importance to Chopin.  While it would be preferred to keep the original hammers for historical purposes, 160 year old felt would not provide the resilience needed to provide the beautiful tone Chopin era Pleyels were known for. We determined the best course of action was to have the original hammers refelted in Paris matching the soft outer felt.  We instructed these experts to leave all felt and leather underlayers intact.