GB 1249 Bechstein Hall - Bechstein, piano-makers, and Bechstein/Wigmore Hall

Identificatie

referentie code

GB 1249 Bechstein Hall

Titel

Bechstein, piano-makers, and Bechstein/Wigmore Hall

Datum(s)

  • 1880-1951 (Vervaardig)

Beschrijvingsniveau

Omvang en medium

43 volumes (c2 linear metres)

Context

Naam van de archiefvormer

Biografie

Bechstein are a German firm of piano makers founded in Berlin in 1853 by Friedrich Wilhelm Carl Bechstein (1826-1900), who founded the firm in 1853 in Berlin. Following successful receptions at the 1862 London exhibition and the 1867 Paris exhibition, the output of the firm grew from 300 instruments a year during the 1860s to 1000 a decade later, 3000 during the 1890s and 5000 in the years preceding World War I. Following the founder's death, his sons Edwin Bechstein and Carl Bechstein assumed control and later Carl's son, also Carl, joined the firm. The importance of the British market to the firm was such that half of the firm's annual output of pianos was sold there. The firm sought to provide an impressive yet intimate showcase for recitals (particularly featuring the firm's instruments). In 1901 the firm opened a concert room in London, known as the Bechstein Hall, next to its showrooms on Wigmore Street; the first concert on 31 May 1901 featured the virtuoso pianist Ferruccio Busoni. The Hall quickly came renowned for its superb acoustics and enjoyed popularity with both performers and the public. Bechstein, like other German firms in Britain during World War One, experienced anti-German hostility and a decline in business. The firm's affairs were wound up in 1916 by the Board of Trade and the entire business - including studios, offices, warehouses, 137 pianos, and the Hall itself - was sold at auction to Debenhams for £56,500. The Hall reopened in 1917 as the Wigmore Hall.

archiefbewaarplaats

Geschiedenis van het archief

GB 1249 Bechstein Hall 1880-1951 Collection (fonds) 43 volumes (c2 linear metres) Bechstein , piano-makers
Bechstein Hall , London , 1901-1916 , concert venue
Wigmore Hall , London , 1917- , concert venue
Arts Council of Great Britain
Bechstein are a German firm of piano makers founded in Berlin in 1853 by Friedrich Wilhelm Carl Bechstein (1826-1900), who founded the firm in 1853 in Berlin. Following successful receptions at the 1862 London exhibition and the 1867 Paris exhibition, the output of the firm grew from 300 instruments a year during the 1860s to 1000 a decade later, 3000 during the 1890s and 5000 in the years preceding World War I. Following the founder's death, his sons Edwin Bechstein and Carl Bechstein assumed control and later Carl's son, also Carl, joined the firm. The importance of the British market to the firm was such that half of the firm's annual output of pianos was sold there. The firm sought to provide an impressive yet intimate showcase for recitals (particularly featuring the firm's instruments). In 1901 the firm opened a concert room in London, known as the Bechstein Hall, next to its showrooms on Wigmore Street; the first concert on 31 May 1901 featured the virtuoso pianist Ferruccio Busoni. The Hall quickly came renowned for its superb acoustics and enjoyed popularity with both performers and the public. Bechstein, like other German firms in Britain during World War One, experienced anti-German hostility and a decline in business. The firm's affairs were wound up in 1916 by the Board of Trade and the entire business - including studios, offices, warehouses, 137 pianos, and the Hall itself - was sold at auction to Debenhams for £56,500. The Hall reopened in 1917 as the Wigmore Hall.

Not known

Records of Bechstein of Berlin and London, piano-makers, 1880-1946, and of the Bechstein Hall and Wigmore Hall, 1901-1951, comprising sales books of Bechstein, giving names of purchaser and details of instruments purchased, 1880-1927; wages book of Bechstein staff, 1890-1912 and stock book, 1946; sales ledger, 1916-1921; instrument hire account book, 1912-1917. Bechstein Hall, day book, 1901-1916 (also includes day book of Arts Council of Great Britain, 1916-1951); hire day book, 1911-1916; cash book, 1912-1916 (and Wigmore Hall, 1934-1916). Wigmore Hall cash book, 1917-1924; daybook, 1930-1946; ledger, 1938-1946.

The volumes are arranged as follows: Bechstein, sales books; Bechstein, other ledgers; Bechstein Hall ledgers; Wigmore Hall ledgers.

Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.

Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
English.

The material is unlisted.

City of Westminster Archives Centre holds records, 1906-1967; Wigmore Hall holds records, 1901-2001.

Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: article on Bechstein by Cyril Ehrlich, Grove Dictionary of Music. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. May 2001 Arts Council Bechstein Hall , London , 1901-1916 , concert venue Bechstein , piano-makers England Europe London Music Musical instruments Musical performances UK Western Europe Wigmore Hall , London , 1917- , concert venue Performing arts

Directe bron van verwerving of overbrenging

Not known

Inhoud en structuur

Bereik en inhoud

Records of Bechstein of Berlin and London, piano-makers, 1880-1946, and of the Bechstein Hall and Wigmore Hall, 1901-1951, comprising sales books of Bechstein, giving names of purchaser and details of instruments purchased, 1880-1927; wages book of Bechstein staff, 1890-1912 and stock book, 1946; sales ledger, 1916-1921; instrument hire account book, 1912-1917. Bechstein Hall, day book, 1901-1916 (also includes day book of Arts Council of Great Britain, 1916-1951); hire day book, 1911-1916; cash book, 1912-1916 (and Wigmore Hall, 1934-1916). Wigmore Hall cash book, 1917-1924; daybook, 1930-1946; ledger, 1938-1946.

Waardering, vernietiging en slectie

Aanvullingen

Ordeningstelsel

The volumes are arranged as follows: Bechstein, sales books; Bechstein, other ledgers; Bechstein Hall ledgers; Wigmore Hall ledgers.

Voorwaarden voor toegang en gebruik

Voorwaarden voor raadpleging

Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.

Voorwaarden voor reproductie

Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.

Taal van het materiaal

  • Engels

Schrift van het materiaal

  • Latijn

Taal en schrift aantekeningen

English.

Fysieke eigenschappen en technische eisen

Toegangen

The material is unlisted.

Verwante materialen

Bestaan en verblifplaats van originelen

Bestaan en verblijfplaats van kopieën

Related units of description

City of Westminster Archives Centre holds records, 1906-1967; Wigmore Hall holds records, 1901-2001.

Related descriptions

Notitie Publicaties

Aantekeningen

Aantekening

Alternative identifier(s)

Trefwoorden

Geografische trefwoorden

Naam ontsluitingsterm

Genre access points

Beschrijvingsbeheer

Identificatie van de beschrijving

Identificatiecode van de instelling

Royal College of Music

Toegepaste regels en/of conventies

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Niveau van detaillering

Verwijdering van datering archiefvorming

Taal (talen)

  • Engels

Schrift(en)

    Bronnen

    Voorwaarden voor raadpleging en gebruik