About & History
To understand where we are going, you have to appreciate where we have been. Discover the history of a prolific and prestigious piano maker.
The Danemann story is one of passion and prestige. This heritage company has now been revived and restored for a new generation of piano lovers, fusing a rich history with a bright future.
Danemann Pianos was founded in Islington, London in 1893 by William Danemann, a student of renowned British piano maker John Brinsmead.
From 1893 to 1980, the company produced a wide range of instruments from small uprights to concert grands, with actions supplied and built by Renner, Schwander and British Piano Actions. The brand received worldwide acclaim: Danemann pianos were supplied to British embassies, P&O Lines and numerous schools and colleges around the world as well as private homes. Many are still active to this day, a true testament to the longevity of Danemann’s upright and baby grand pianos. The company was careful to ensure that British quality would perform just as well across the world: pianos destined for far-flung countries often included modifications designed specifically for different environmental conditions.
After WWII the brand's focus shifted towards making top quality instruments rather than supplying the mass market. Pianos were constructed from the very best materials available at the time and attention to detail was always paramount. School pianos came with built in safety features including solid toe pegs front and back for stability; safety falls (keyboard covers); and double rubber castors to enable easy manoeuvring around a school hall or over small thresholds.
The mid twentieth century was a time of particular growth and success. Danemann Pianos supplied the Royal Festival Hall for its opening in 1951 and in 1963, the piano buyer for Harrods commissioned Danemann to build “the best upright in the world”. The result of this commission was the HS2, a refined adaptation of the classic Danemann upright.
Production of the original Danemann Pianos ceased in 1994, but since 2017 the Danemann name and reputation have been restored, thanks to a joint venture with Broughton Pianos Ltd. A family-owned business with over 30 years' experience in the piano trade, Broughton Pianos Ltd is perfectly placed to revive this illustrious brand.
In 1893, William Danemann built a reputation for crafting high-quality British pianos from the best materials available at the time. Today we are restoring that reputation, with the emphasis once more on quality, attention to detail and value for money.
The Danemann piano is known for its warm tone and balanced weight of the keys. Discover for yourself how our original designs and manufacturing processes have been revived with a modern twist. To hear the latest Danemann models in action, visit the Broughton Pianos showroom in Stourbridge or your local Danemann dealer.