Carl Bechstein

Carl Bechstein ( born June 1, 1826 in Gotha, † March 6, 1900 in Berlin) was a German piano maker, in Berlin the Pianoforte C. Bechstein factory founded in 1853.

Life

Bechstein was sent in 1840 at the age of 14 years to the piano maker Johann Gleitz in Erfurt in teaching. After training, he worked at various piano makers including in Dresden. 1846 or 1848 (the year is not exactly fixed) took him to Berlin. There he worked at the piano maker Gottfried Perau, the rapidly promoted him to a workshop manager. In the second half of 1849, Bechstein went first to London, then to Paris, where he completed his training. One of his teachers, the Alsace Jean Georges Kriegelstein, a successful entrepreneur who taught him the basics of corporate policy and business practice.

1852 Bechstein went as Managing Perau back to Berlin. Only a year later he founded on 1 October 1853 at the first floor of a building that served as Perau magazine, his own workshop. Within a year, three-quarters of the first two instruments, the Bechstein built without support itself originated. In the first six years he delivered up to 176 grand and upright pianos.

1856 Bechstein married Louise Doering from Strausberg. At that time he had already met one of its main customers: the pianist Hans von Bülow. This soon joined him more than the business side. Bülow had again and again - even against his former teacher Franz Liszt - complained about the quality of the then -built wing. It often happened that the conventional tools were not up to the requirements of the romantic piano music and the associated stop culture of pianists such as Bülow and Liszt. The material fatigued too quickly or went literally to pieces. Bechstein built a grand piano, which was introduced by Bulow on 22 January 1857 of the Piano Sonata in B minor by Franz Liszt to the public. The performance was a sensation; quickly the instrument was sold.

By the end of 1860 had built 300 Bechstein grand piano. After the death Peraus in 1861, which also marked the end of the piano manufacturer Perau, the company expanded. 1862 Carl Bechstein was honored at the London Industrial Exhibition with the silver medal. As a gift to Richard Wagner, King Ludwig II of Bavaria ordered from Carl Bechstein piano a composition which Wagner was preparing greatest joy. As of 1870, the production of the piano factory increased to about 500 instruments per year. Bechstein opened in subsequent years, two other piano factories and 1885 Auslandsdependance in London. 1892 Bechstein concert building, the hall Bechstein, framed by a three-day music celebration was opened in honor. The culmination of his life's work was reached when Carl Bechstein in 1896 received the Gold Medal of the Great Berlin Industrial Exhibition. Bechstein died on March 6, 1900, almost three months after his wife died, and was buried at the Second Sophia Cemetery in Berlin -Mitte. The monumental tomb was designed by Prof. Max Koch.

Honors

• Carl Bechstein in 1893 an honorary citizen of Erkner, where he built himself a villa and financially contributed to the construction of the church. 1937 the municipality took over the house, which is used as the town hall since that time.
• After the death Bechsteins the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin edited ( KPM ) mocha cups with his portrait.
• Several years ago, Carl Bechstein high school was named after him in Erkner.
• The discharged since 2006 International Carl Bechstein Piano Competition is named after him.