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Excerpt
from Pianos and their Makers
by Alfred Dolge
A most
remarkable success, achieved
in a comparatively short
time, assures Julius
Bluthner a prominent place
in history. Born March 11th
1824, at Falkenhain, he
learned his trade with
HoIling & Spangenberg of
Zeitz, and studied under
Alexander Bretschneider, the
renowned builder of grand
pianos, at Leipsic, until
1853, when he started in
business on his own account.
Handicapped by lack of a
broader education, Bluthner
had to dig his way to
prominence. He was fortunate
in the possession of a
highly developed sense of
hearing, and it is said that
in later years no one in his
extensive establishment
could " voice" a piano so
accurately as he.
Ambitious to contribute
something more to his art
than mere industrial
activity, Bluthner made many
experiments to improve the
piano. In order to enhance
the volume and singing
quality of tone in the upper
octaves, he revived Hans
Ruckers' fourth string
system, calling his device
the" Aliquot System." He
also invented a grand
action. Calling to his aid
able young men of literary
ability, Bluthner used
printer's ink to great
advantage and his fine
instruments soon found a
market in all quarters of
the globe, so that his
production in 1882 had risen
to an annual output of 1200
grand and 1800 upright
pianos. Bluthner published,
in conjunction with
Gretschel, a treatise on
piano making, of which
several editions have been
sold. The King of Saxony
honored him with the
appointment of Privy
Counselor of Commerce, and
he also received decorations
from his King, the Duke of
Saxe-Coburg and the Grand
Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
He died at Leipsic in 1910
in his eighty-seventh year.
Bluthner Piano Company |
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