In the later decades of the 19th century, Knabe grew to be one of the most respected pianos and very popular among consumers and professionals alike. With the outbreak of the Civil War and the resulting decline of the Southern market, the company managed to keep afloat by expanding their markets into the growing American west. The company was left in the stable hands of sons William and Ernest upon the death of William Knabe in 1864. The piano was used by Key until his death in 1843 and currently resides in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. The detail of these lavish, hand-carved pianos extended around all four sides of the rosewood case and down its massive legs, while the keys were surfaced with expensive mother-of-pearl. Knabe & Gaehle became a part of American history when in 1838,Francis Scott Key, composer of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” commissioned the company to custom-build a square grand piano for his home. Knabe & Gaehle built high-quality grands, uprights, and squares at a small factory in Baltimore and managed to compete with other larger, more established American manufacturers. Knabe partnered with Henry Gaehle to form the piano company Knabe & Gaehle, the genesis of Knabe’s storied history. In 1835, William formed his own business of buying, selling and repairing used pianos from inside his home. After immigrating to the United States and settling in Baltimore, Maryland, Knabe began working under Henry Hartye, a well-known piano maker. Knabe learned the art of cabinet and piano making through apprenticeships, dedication and hard work. The Founding FatherKnabe’s rich history began more than 200 years ago when Wilhelm (William) Knabe was born in Kreuzburg, Germany in 1803.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |