Gaveau

Gaveau of Paris was a French piano manufacturer. The company was established by Joseph Gabriel Gaveau in 1847 in Paris and used to be one of the three largest piano makers in France (after Erard and Pleyel). Some Gaveau pianos are constructed with Art cabinets. Many pianos have been equipped with pneumatic systems (Odeola, Ampico and Welte).

A large building, including the manufacturer's headquarters and a 1000-seat concert hall named Salle Gaveau, was built for Gaveau by the architect Jacques Hermant in 1905-1906. The concert hall is always in activity with classical and jazz music.

A large factory was also located at Fontenay-sous-Bois.

In 1960, Gaveau merged with Erard. Since 1971 this piano has been made by Pianoforte manufacturing company Wilhelm Schimmel. [ [http://www.uk-piano.org/history/history_1.html A History of the Piano, 1157-2007] ]

Family Competition

Joseph Gabriel Gaveau had six children, and Etienne Gaveau received competition from his brothers.

Gabriel Gaveau was established in 1911. Gabriel Gaveau made some pianos with pedal or Duo-Art systems, and was located in 1919, 55-57 Av. Malakoff, 75016 (This part is now Av. Raymond Poincaré, near the Trocadero). This plant was requisitioned by the Germans in 1939.

Also in 1911, Augustin Gaveau created his own piano company with his own style of upright pianos. [ [http://users.pandora.be/lieve.verbeeck/histoire_famille_gaveau.htm Histoire Famille Gaveau(French)] ]

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