Weber, Albert

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Weber, Albert

Weber, Albert, German-American piano manufacturer; b. Heiligenstadt, July 8, 1828; d. N.Y., June 25, 1879. He went to N.Y. in 1844 and began manufacturing pianos in 1851. In 1869 he opened his first public wareroom at 16th and Fifth Ave. Weber is credited with having coined the term “baby grand” to designate the short grand piano. Unlike other major piano manufacturers, he did not invent or create anything new in piano construction. However, his pianos were known for their superb craftsmanship. After his death, the Weber Piano Co. was continued by his son, Albert Jr., who unsuccessfully attempted to break the Steinway monopoly of artists and orchs. It became the Weber-Wheelock Co. in 1892, and then merged into the Aeolian, Weber Piano & Pianola Co. in 1903.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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