Jaques Samuel Pianos

Jaques Samuel Pianos is a renowned piano retailer and service provider based in London, United Kingdom. Established in the 1930s by Austrian piano tuner Jaques Samuel, the business began in the front room of his Notting Hill home, offering tuning services and a small selection of reconditioned pianos. Over the decades, it grew into one of the UK's most respected piano houses, known for its craftsmanship and deep connections to the music industry. The company operates from its showroom at 142 Edgware Road, where it has been since 1972. It offers a comprehensive range of services including piano sales, hire, tuning, restoration, and transport. Jaques Samuel Pianos is an authorized dealer for prestigious brands such as C. Bechstein, W. Hoffmann, Zimmermann, and Kawai. It also provides practice studios for hire and hosts competitions and concerts. Under the ownership of Stefan Freymuth and Terence Lewis, Jaques Samuel Pianos continues to serve professional musicians, institutions, and enthusiasts. Its clientele has included renowned artists like András Schiff, Daniil Trifonov, Herbie Hancock, and Angela Hewitt. The company has supplied instruments for iconic recordings, including Queen's 'A Night at the Opera' and The Beatles' 'Hey Jude'. It maintains partnerships with venues such as the Barbican Centre and Wigmore Hall, and organizes the annual Jaques Samuel Pianos Intercollegiate Piano Competition. With a rich history spanning nearly nine decades, Jaques Samuel Pianos remains a cornerstone of London's musical landscape, combining tradition with modern innovation.

Jaques Samuel Pianos was founded in the 1930s by Austrian piano tuner Jaques Samuel and his wife, who relocated to London amid growing political unrest in Europe. Initially operating from the front room of their home in Notting Hill, Samuel offered tuning services and a small selection of carefully reconditioned pianos. The business quickly gained a reputation for quality and craftsmanship. In 1940, Samuel moved the business from his living room to another property. Following Jaques Samuel's ill health in the 1960s, the business was sold in 1965 to Edward Mandel, and Samuel returned to Austria, where he died shortly after. In the year of Samuel's death, Jaques Samuel Pianos became a so-called Bechstein House, and among other things, it serviced the BBC's pianos. In 1972, the company moved to its current location at 142 Edgware Road. In 1975, Queen's album 'A Night at the Opera' was recorded using a grand piano from Jaques Samuel Pianos—a C. Bechstein, Model V. A Bechstein from Jaques Samuel Pianos was also used for the recording of 'Hey Jude'. In 1996, Terence Lewis, formerly of Harrods, became Managing Director. The business was completely redesigned, and the first practice room was added. In the same year, Jaques Samuel Pianos was named Music Retailer of the Year. By 2018, the number of practice rooms available for hourly rental had grown to 16. Edward Mandel died in 1999. Over the years, the company has served clients such as András Schiff, Daniil Trifonov, Herbie Hancock, Angela Hewitt, and Boris Giltburg. It has provided instruments for venues like the Barbican Centre and Wigmore Hall, and festivals such as Glastonbury. Since 1996, it has organized the Jaques Samuel Pianos Intercollegiate Piano Competition. In the early 21st century, the company acquired a property on Wigmore Street, where it established another showroom and a concert hall, the Bechstein Hall. Lewis's idea was to offer short concerts of about an hour, allowing Londoners to avoid rush hour. In the summer of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grange Park Opera offered online concerts, including one by Pavel Kolesnikov, using an instrument from Jaques Samuel Pianos. The company continues to operate as a leading piano retailer and service provider in London.

• 2020

  Provided instrument for online concert by Pavel Kolesnikov during COVID-19.

• 2018

  Number of practice rooms reached 16.

• 1999

  Edward Mandel died.

• 1996

  Terence Lewis became Managing Director; first practice room added; named Music Retailer of the Year.

• 1975

  Queen's 'A Night at the Opera' recorded using a C. Bechstein Model V from JSP.

• 1972

  Moved to 142 Edgware Road showroom.

• 1965

  Sold to Edward Mandel; became a Bechstein House.

• 1940

  Business moved from Samuel's living room to another property.

• 1935

  Founded by Jaques Samuel in Notting Hill, London.

London's premier piano shop, offering high-quality instruments and services to musicians and institutions.

• C. Bechstein pianos

• W. Hoffmann pianos

• Zimmermann pianos

• Kawai pianos

• Piano tuning services

• Piano hire services

• Practice studios

1. 1Piano Shop London | C. Bechstein, W. Hoffmann, Zimmermann & Kawai | Jaques Samuel Pianosjspianos.com
2. 2HISTORY | Jaques Samuel Pianosjspianos.com
3. 3SERVICES | Jaques Samuel Pianosjspianos.com
4. 4TUNING | Jaques Samuel Pianosjspianos.com
5. 5Jaques Samuel Pianos - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Jaques Samuel Pianos - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org