Schimmel

Four Generations – One Passion

Success demands courage – and passion. Both these qualities were demonstrated by Wilhelm Schimmel, the founder of our company: shortly after the completion of his training as a piano manufacturer, he established his own workshop in Leipzig and produced his first piano at the beginning of 1885. His instruments were impressive for their advanced technique, excellent tone and contemporary form. Both he and his slogan “Quality will prevail” were proved right by his success. In 1927, his son Wilhelm Arno Schimmel took over the management of the company and relocated the site to Braunschweig (Brunswick) where he developed one of the major innovations of the 1930s: a small piano without back posts with a newly designed action and a unique tonal character. The family firm continued to flourish: by the end of the 1950s, Schimmel instruments were the most frequently purchased pianos produced in Germany – and were sent all around the world.

Courage To Innovate

In 1961, Nikolaus Wilhelm Schimmel became head of the company and focused on the continuity of the firm’s expansion in the third generation. Increasing sales volumes necessitated the construction of a new company site in which special areas such as research and development were extended and intensified. Alongside the Schimmel Classic Serie, the company developed the Schimmel Konzert Serie over a period of approximately 20 years, thereby consolidating the company’s leading position in the market. In 2003, Nikolaus Wilhelm Schimmel passed on the management of the company to Hannes Schimmel-Vogel.

In adherence to the founding slogan “Quality will prevail”, he completed the product spectrum with additional models in the Konzert Serie and the conceptual design of a wide-ranging, extended Schimmel brand family. This courage in innovation and the passion for piano manufacture will also characterize the future development of the family firm – and guarantee the excellent quality of Schimmel grand and upright pianos!

Exquisite Wood Types And Finishes

Better is the enemy of good – this conceptual approach can be found at Schimmel throughout the entire process of piano manufacturing. An exemplary special area is the selection, treatment and storage of woods for the exclusive finishes of Schimmel instruments. Macassar is an extremely rare type of exotic wood which can only be found in limited dimensions and lengths.

In addition to mahogany, walnut is also a traditional wood utilized in the manufacture of grand and upright pianos. This noble, rich brown wood is also utilized in the manufacture of aircraft propellers due to its high degree of stability. Bird’s eye maple from North America is valued for its characteristic grain pattern and the olive ash is distinctive for its particularly interesting play of colors in veneer work.

At Schimmel, only selected models are manufactured serially in these special wood finishes as shown.