Schweighofer

Schweighofer is the name of an Austrian piano maker family and she founded the company, which built from about 1792 to 1938 keyboard instruments of high quality.

Company History

Probably from Bavaria originating Michael Schweighofer (1771-1809) opened in 1792 a piano workshop in Vienna. On 11 December 1801, he made ​​the Vienna oath of citizenship, but died just eight years later on 29 May 1809. His widow married the piano maker Johann Joseph Promberger ( 1779-1834 ) and continued the business.

Michael's son, Johann Michael Schweighofer (1806-1852) learned first with his stepfather Promberger the piano makers craft. At age 17, he began to travel to France, England, Germany and Switzerland, to gather more knowledge about the pianos. On his return to Vienna, he founded his own business in 1832. 1845 his fortepiano and piano at the Vienna tradesmen products exhibition were awarded with a gold medal.

After Johann Michael's death in 1852, first took his eldest son Carl Schweighofer ( 1839-1905 ) the business. Under his leadership the company in 1854 received more prizes on the German industrial exhibition in Munich and at the Universal Exhibition Paris 1867. 1867 also joined the second son of Johann Michael Schweighofer ( 1840-1889 ) as a partner in the business, and both sons led the company under the name " J M. Schweighofer 's sons " on. In 1869 they were the title " k.k. Court Pianoforte Manufacturers " and awarded at the Vienna World Exhibition of 1873, finally, the " Diploma of Honor ".

The apprentices of the company Schweighofer belonged to 1860 Antonin Petrof ( 1839-1915 ), the 1864 own piano factory in Bohemia Hradec Králové opened, which still exists today.

1906 took over after the death of Carl Schweighofer his son Johann the company. In 1911/12 bought the gentlemen Karbach Kohn and the piano building companies. These were the holder of the piano trade company Bernhard Kohn in Vienna. Karbach Friedrich (1869-1942) was Kapellmeister of Wr. Musicians and Composer. Later came as other holders of Schweighofer added yet Dr. Oskar Karbach. End of the 20s a company incorporated with limited liability by the name J. M. Schweighofer, but only briefly existed and piano trading operation. There were complaints competition between two companies; the "old" company Schweighofer brought to their pianos in the key cap to the name SCHWEIGHOFER ORIGINAL, and the soundboard the name Friedrich Karbach.

The families Kohn and Karbach were Jews. They were 1938/39, expropriated during the linearization. As acting director for the company Bernhard Kohn and J. M. Schweighofer piano manufacturer Friedrich Ehrbar was jun. employed. 1940, both companies were dissolved.

In 1905 in Vienna Neubau ( 7th district ), the Karl- Schweighofer -Gasse named after Carl Schweighofer.

Instruments

Older instruments of Michael and Johann Michael Schweighofer stand today in the Germanic National Museum in Nuremberg, in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and in Kremsegg Castle Museum in Kremsmuenster near Linz. Younger sons of instruments JM Schweighofer have been preserved in private ownership.