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The IBACH History
Six Generations - A Tradition in Two Centuries
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The First Generation:
The Origin Of Ibach Piano Building
In 1794, Johann Adolph Ibach sets up his
shop to build organs and pianos.
By this time old Johan Seb. Bach has been
dead for nearly half a century, Hayden 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 harpsicord
as the instrument of choice. Mr.Ibach
builds his pianos based on a genuine artisan
approach to their construction for local
customers.
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The Second Generation:
Breath-Taking Developments
The art of piano building is truely 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.
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The Third Generation:
The Industrialization Of A Craft
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 the 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.
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We believe, this is remarkable:
After the early death of her husband
Peter Adolph Rudolph 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.
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The Fourth Generation:
A Boom - World War I -
The Great Depression
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, Dusseldorf 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 Schonberg, Anton
Webern, Bela Bartok 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.
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The Fifth Generation:
Another Boom - Another World War
Destruction - And A New Beginning
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
Dusseldorf, the archive and an incredible wealth of
art are completely destroyed. At the end if 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.
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The Sixth Generation:
A Grand Tradition Continues Across the Globe
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 unnique 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.
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