Bechstein, Friedrich Wilhelm Carl

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Bechstein, Friedrich Wilhelm Carl (b Gotha, 1826; d Berlin, 1900). Ger. pf. manufacturer. After working in pf. factories in Ger., Fr., and Eng., founded his own firm in Berlin, 1853. His first grand pf., 1856, was inaugurated by Hans von Bülow with perf. of Liszt B minor sonata. Branches were est. in Fr., London (1879), and Russ. London recital hall built in 1901 was named Bechstein Hall, though re-named Wigmore Hall in 1917 after the street in which it stands. Production of pfs. reached 5,000 a year in years preceding First World War. Factory almost entirely destroyed in Second World War, but production resumed in 1951, reaching 1,000 instr. after a year.

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