For Bechstein pianos that we have available for purchase, click here

 

1853: Founded in Berlin by Carl Bechstein

C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik was founded in 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany, with a mission to build pianos capable of withstanding the power and precision demanded by virtuosos like Franz Liszt. His instruments quickly earned a reputation for exceptional tone, durability, and elegance.

Carl Bechstein – Founder of C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik 

 

1860s – 1890s: Royal Recognition and Global Expansion

By the 1860s, Bechstein pianos were being used in concert halls and royal courts across Europe. In 1881, Queen Victoria acquired a Bechstein grand for Buckingham Palace. The company opened lavish showrooms in:

• London (1885)
• Paris (1889)
• St. Petersburg (1890)

Bechstein became the piano of choice for composers such as Claude Debussy, Hans von Bülow, and Richard Wagner.

 

Early 1900s: A Leading Piano Maker Worldwide

At the height of its success in the early 20th century, Bechstein was among the top three piano manufacturers in the world, alongside Steinway and Blüthner. By 1910, Bechstein had built over 100,000 instruments, with its pianos found in leading conservatories and private salons across Europe and beyond.

C. Bechstein factory, around 1880 

 

1930s – 1945: Decline During War and Political Turmoil

During the Nazi era and World War II, Bechstein’s international reputation suffered due to political affiliations and wartime destruction. The Berlin factory was heavily bombed in 1945, halting production. Many of Bechstein’s international branches were closed or nationalised.

 

1950s – 1990: Rebuilding Amid Division

Following the war and Germany’s division, Bechstein rebuilt in West Germany but faced increasing competition. Though quality remained high, production slowed, and the brand's global presence diminished. Despite these challenges, Bechstein maintained its commitment to handcrafted excellence.

1990s – Present: Revival and Modern Excellence

After German reunification, Bechstein was revitalised with new investment and modern leadership. In 1992, the company established its state-of-the-art factory in Seifhennersdorf, Saxony, where all C. Bechstein grand and upright pianos are crafted by hand.

Today, Bechstein offers three main lines:

• C. Bechstein – premium, concert-level instruments
• Bechstein Academy – high-quality performance pianos
• W. Hoffmann – European-made pianos with excellent value

 

Legacy of Excellence

For over 170 years, C. Bechstein has stood for refined European tone, precision craftsmanship, and timeless design. From royal palaces to concert halls, Bechstein pianos remain a symbol of musical sophistication and enduring quality.

 

 

For more information about the different types of pianos, click the links below:

Uprights	Grands

Serial Numbers

1853 to 1858 - 1 to 175	1859 – 176	1860 – 300
1861 – 476	1862 – 710	1863 – 1102
1864 – 1305	1865 – 1595	1866 – 1869
1867 – 2369	1868 – 3154	1869 – 3673
1870 – 4196	1871 – 4855	1872 – 5756
1873 – 6580	1874 – 7328	1875 – 8070
1876 – 8924	1877 – 9596	1878 – 10213
1879 – 10933
1880 – 11676	1881 – 12558	1882 – 13596
1883 – 14715	1884 – 15705	1885 – 16704
1886 – 17629	1887 – 19058	1888 – 20640
1889 – 22628
1890 – 24958	1891 – 27456	1892 – 30198
1893 – 32735	1894 – 35111	1895 – 37785
1896 – 40448	1897 – 43352	1898 – 46879
1899 – 50490
1900 – 54181	1901 – 57871	1902 – 61615
1903 – 65809	1904 – 69829	1905 – 78185
1907 – 82390	1908 – 86114	1909 – 90138
1910 – 94753	1911 – 99469	1912 – 103786
1913 – 108112	1914 – 110016	1915 – 110898
1916 – 112067	1917 – 113123	1918 – 113773
1919 – 114822
1920 – 115783	1921 – 117126	1922 – 119211
1923 – 121322	1924 – 123320	1925 – 126160
1926 – 128572	1927 – 131473	1928 – 133743
1929 – 136067
1930 – 137446	1932 – 138345	1933 – 138989
1935 – 139999	1936 – 140714	1937 – 141600
1938 – 142417	1939 – 143270
1940 – 143890	1941 – 144360	1942 – 144740
1943 – 145000	1944 – 145220	1945 – 146235
1950 – 147000	1951 – 147133	1952 – 147300
1953 – 147600	1954 – 148000	1956 – 148650
1957 – 148850	1958 – 149900	1959 – 150600
1960 – 151950	1961 – 152683	1962 – 153400
1963 – 154306	1964 – 155300	1965 – 156400
1966 – 157570	1967 – 158740	1968 – 159840
1969 – 161100
1970 – 162300	1971 – 163400	1972 – 164400
1973 – 165470	1974 – 166600	1975 – 167800
1976 – 168950	1977 – 170150	1978 – 171350
1979 – 172550
1980 – 173785	1981 – 174819	1982 – 175749
1983 – 176428	1984 – 177110	1985 – 177800
1986 – 178422	1987 – 179105	1988 – 179754
1989 – 180311
1990 – 180821	1991 – 181522	1992 – 182103
1993 – 182539	1994 – 183219	1995 – 183917
1996 – 184580	1997 – 185302	1998 – 186074
1999 – 186666
2000 – 187537	2001 – 188393	2002 – 189243
2003 – 190386	2004 – 191644	2005 – 192945
2006 – 194398	2007 – 196024	2008 – 197624
2009 – 199093
2010 – 200688	2011 – 202173	2012 – 203629
2013 – 204914	2014 – 206300	2015 – 207540