Danemann

W. Danemann and Company were a significant British manufacturer of high quality pianos, based in Islington, London. They had a good reputation and were suppliers to the rich and famous, and to academic institutions. Manufacture by the Danemann family ceased in 1983, although the Danemann name is carried on in the piano business.

History

William Danemann trained with John Brinsmead of London, prior to setting up his business in 1893. They produced a wide range of pianos, from small to large uprights, to concert grands. Among their customers were British embassies, the P&O Lines and Harrods. Their pianos were exported worldwide, including tropicalised versions for India and Africa.

After the Second World War, the company concentrated on building instruments of quality rather than for the mass market, including models commissioned by Harrods. Because of their reputation for building long lasting instruments , both uprights and grands, many were supplied to schools and colleges. Thousands of them are still in use every day.

Piano production by the family ended in 1983. In 1985, Gardner Pianos in Cardiff purchased the all the rights and designs of the Danemann company, and production of the pianos based on the original designs started in Cardiff, making Gardners the only company to make pianos in Wales. Danemanns are sold exclusively by Gardners today.

Tim Danemann, great grandson of the founder, now runs Tim Danemann Pianos, restoring, tuning and selling pianos, and based in Buckfastleigh, Devon.

External links

• Tim Danemann Pianos website
• Gardner Pianos website