W. Ritmüller & Sohn

W. Ritmüller & Sohn AG was a piano manufacturer originated in Göttingen, Germany.

History

In the late 18th century, Andreas Georg Ritmüller and his son, Gottlieb Wilhelm Ritmüller (1772-1829),[1] began production of lutes, guitars, and harps in Göttingen.[2] In 1795, the production of piano began in their workshop, and after the father's death in c. 1800, the company was officially named "G. W. Ritmüller."[2]

Two sons of Gottlieb Wilhelm Ritmüller, Johann Wilhelm (born 1802) and Johann Martin (born 1803), joined the company.[2] Gottlieb Wilhelm Ritmüller died in 1829, and the company was renamed "W. Ritmüller & Sohn."[2]

The company became bankrupt in 1890 and was sold.[3] With changing owners and partners, the production continued in Göttingen and later in Berlin.[3] The company was converted into GmbH in 1901, then AG in 1920.[4] After financial difficulties, in 1929, the facilities were leased to Gebr. Niendorf Pianofortefabrik AG.[4] In 1933, W. Ritmüller & Sohn AG was liquidated.

In 1990, the Pearl River Piano Group in China registered the trademark "Ritmüller" in Germany,[5] then worldwide, and have used the brand name "Ritmüller" for their premium pianos since 1997.[3][6]'

Ritmuller is now the premier piano line from the Pearl River company. To honor the German heritage of the brand, Pearl River hired renowned piano designer Lothar Thomma to design what is in essence a German piano assembled with lower cost Asian labor.

References
  1. Städtisches Museum Göttingen. "Ritmüller-Gitarre" (in German). Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  2. Varner, P. "History Of The Piano — Ritmüller". Houston Piano Company. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  3. Sammlung (2017-07-07). "Ein Klavier geht auf die Reise" (in German). Städtisches Museum Göttingen. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  4. "W. Ritmüller & Sohn GmbH Pianoforte-Fabrik". HWPH AG. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  5. "DE1162834 - Ritmüller". World Intellectual Property Organization. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  6. "Ritmüller USA". Retrieved 2018-08-17.
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