Danemann
Encyclopedia
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.
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
.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
manufacturer of high quality pianos, based in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. 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 LinesPeninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
and Harrods
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
. 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
Harrods
Harrods is an upmarket department store located in Brompton Road in Brompton, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London. The Harrods brand also applies to other enterprises undertaken by the Harrods group of companies including Harrods Bank, Harrods Estates, Harrods Aviation and Air...
. 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
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
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
Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh is a small market town and civil parish in Devon, England situated beside the Devon Expressway at the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. It is part of Teignbridge District and, for ecclesiastical purposes lies within the Totnes Deanery. It has a population of 3,661...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.