The Old World – Grotrian-Steinweg

In the 19th century, the Duchy of Braunschweig (Brunswick) - Lüneburg was largely subject to the regency of Duke Wilhelm (1806-1884). The city was quite music-oriented, with the respective demand on instruments. The theater was run by the extremely active court conductor Franz Abt (1819–1885). With the founding of the Singakademie and the Braunschweiger Männergesangsverein (Brunswick men’s choral society), with which he also traveled internationally many times, Abt was involved far beyond his actual office. Theodor Steinweg (1825–1889) was verifiably in contact with him. The Musical Society, which was run by enthusiasts, as well as the Musical-Literary Society and the Society for Concert Music organized regular events: Orchestral, chamber and oratorio concerts, sometimes with the participation of renowned guest soloists such as the pianist Clara Schumann (1819-1896). Several small workshops build and repaired instruments for musicians and amateurs. In the field of piano manufacturing, the company Zeitter & Winkelmann in particular competed with Steinweg-Grotrian.