The IBACH HistoryIn 1794, Johann Adolph Ibach sets up his shop to build organs and pianos.
By this time old Johann Sebastien Bach has been dead for nearly half a century, Haydn has completed most of his oeuvre and Beethoven is working on his Opus 1 Piano Trios. The time is ripe for radical changes in society, science and the arts. On the horizon, a new era in musical instruments dawns: The piano replaces the harpsichord as the instrument of choice. Mr. Ibach builds his pianos based on a genuine artisan approach to their construction for local customers.
The art of piano building is truly mastered by the second generation of Ibachs. Cast iron replaces wooden braces--a pioneering achievement which to this very day is the basis of every upright and grand piano all over the world. The innovative construction results in a full and powerfully resonant tone, successfully serving the present demand of the instrument to fill larger concert halls as well as private homes for chamber music. Due to their acclaim, IBACH pianos now cross the borders into Holland, Belgium, France and Spain. The art of piano building is truly mastered by the second generation of Ibachs.. Cast iron replaces wooden braces - a pioneering achievement which to this very day is the basis of every upright and grand piano all over the world. The innovative construction results in a full and powerfully resonant tone, successfully serving the present demand of the instrument to fill larger concert halls as well as private homes for chamber music. Due to their acclaim, IBACH pianos now cross the borders into Holland, Belgium, France and Spain.
IBACH becomes a household name for the Avant-garde of piano builders. A sensational innovation is to have leading artists of their time design cabinet cases for pianos, ushering in the decorative element to piano manufacturing in true fashion of its time. IBACH also pursues a tradition of establishing friendships with leading contemporary composers: Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and many, many more...
We believe this is remarkable:
After the early death of her husband Peter Adolph Rudolf Ibach in 1892, Mrs. Hulda Ibach (Reyscher) managed the company with great success for more than 12 years, until her sons were grown up. A company under leadership of a lady was a very strange event in the business world of these early times.
Around the turn of the century, the House of IBACH experiences an incredible boom. Factories in Barmen, Schwelm and Berlin, retail shops and concert halls in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Berlin. IBACH sponsors annual piano competitions, heralding prize-winners such as Claudio Arrau, Elly Ney and many other leading pianists. The chain of artist-friendships continues with Max Reger, Richard Strauss, Arnold Schönberg, Anton Webern, Bela Bartók and other great musicians, as well as relationships with contemporary master builders such as Peter Behrens, Bruno Paul, and Muthesius. World War I and The Great Depression shatter the piano industry. IBACH, however, manages to survive the crisis, pick up the pieces and begin again.
The development of a three foot upright piano with a sensational tone quality and exemplary design sets new industry standards. IBACH achieves worldwide recognition and continues its expansion.
A great future appears on the horizon; World War II destroys all hopes as factories, retail houses and concert halls, the IBACH Hall in Düsseldorf, the archive and an incredible wealth of art are completely destroyed. At the end of this war, Ibach lies in shambles. Another beginning takes place in the factory in Schwelm. With a novel program of upright and grand pianos, IBACH regains international reputation. A network of exclusive dealers bridges the gap between IBACH and music lovers all over the world.
Today the company is run by Rolf Ibach. He has been trained with the world's best piano builders. His continuing collaboration with the leading experts and concert artists continues to set industry standards and remain, as Richard Wagner wrote more than a century ago to his friend Rudolf Ibach, "tonal helpers" to music lovers all over the world. Therefore, IBACH represents a unique tradition--six generations of piano builders, six eras of piano making. This is why IBACH has steadfastedly retained its position in the music world throughout history.
