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| == History == | == History == | ||
| Estonia reports that it was founded in 1893 by Ernst Hiis. {{Fact| |date=November 2008}} Early in the Soviet era it is reported that ] favored Estonia pianos (after having received one as a gift) and designated the company as the sole manufacturer of grand pianos in the ]. {{Fact| |date=November 2008}} From 1950 to 1990 the company was state-owned and made two grand piano models ( |
Estonia reports that it was founded in 1893 by Ernst Hiis. {{Fact| |date=November 2008}} Early in the Soviet era it is reported that ] favored Estonia pianos (after having received one as a gift) and designated the company as the sole manufacturer of grand pianos in the ]. {{Fact| |date=November 2008}} From 1950 to 1990 the company was state-owned and made two grand piano models (190 cm and 273 cm) for distribution throughout the Soviet Union. | ||
| The company languished after the ] in 1991, and in 1993 the factory was privatized to its managers. After the factory's decline in the early 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the firm was revived by Indrek Laul, who invested in the company and introduced its products to the ]. In 1995 it was sold to ] (at that time a doctoral piano student at the ] in ]), who took over control of the company. | The company languished after the ] in 1991, and in 1993 the factory was privatized to its managers. After the factory's decline in the early 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the firm was revived by Indrek Laul, who invested in the company and introduced its products to the ]. In 1995 it was sold to ] (at that time a doctoral piano student at the ] in ]), who took over control of the company. | ||
| Since that time the company has exerted efforts to redesign and bring Estonia grand pianos to a world-class, professional level. Components and materials are now imported where appropriate, such as German Renner actions and hammers. In 2003 a new factory building was completed and opened.. | Since that time the company has exerted efforts to redesign and bring Estonia grand pianos to a world-class, professional level. Components and materials are now imported where appropriate, such as German Renner actions and hammers. In 2003 a new factory building was completed and opened.. | ||
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| == Models == | == Models == | ||
| Estonia pianos are performance quality acoustic grand pianos manufactured in the Republic of ]. Three models are currently (as of January 2007) offered for sale: | Estonia pianos are performance quality acoustic grand pianos manufactured in the Republic of ]. Three models are currently (as of January 2007) offered for sale: | ||
| * the L168 Studio Grand ( |
* the L168 Studio Grand (168 cm, 5'6"), | ||
| * the L190 Parlour Grand ( |
* the L190 Parlour Grand (190 cm, 6'3"), and | ||
| * the L274 Concert Grand ( |
* the L274 Concert Grand (274 cm, 9'0"). | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * | * | ||
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Revision as of 21:24, 16 March 2009
The Estonia Piano Factory was founded in 1893 by Ernst Hiis in Tallinn, Estonia. The majority of Estonia pianos are now sold in the United States.
History
Estonia reports that it was founded in 1893 by Ernst Hiis. Early in the Soviet era it is reported that Joseph Stalin favored Estonia pianos (after having received one as a gift) and designated the company as the sole manufacturer of grand pianos in the Soviet Union. From 1950 to 1990 the company was state-owned and made two grand piano models (190 cm and 273 cm) for distribution throughout the Soviet Union.
The company languished after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, and in 1993 the factory was privatized to its managers. After the factory's decline in the early 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the firm was revived by Indrek Laul, who invested in the company and introduced its products to the United States. In 1995 it was sold to Indrek Laul (at that time a doctoral piano student at the Juilliard School in New York), who took over control of the company.
Since that time the company has exerted efforts to redesign and bring Estonia grand pianos to a world-class, professional level. Components and materials are now imported where appropriate, such as German Renner actions and hammers. In 2003 a new factory building was completed and opened..
Characteristics
Although the Estonia pianos manufactured in the early 1990s were plagued by manufacturing defects, those made since about 2002 have demonstrated remarkable quality and a unique, sweet singing tone. Additional improvements made in the years 2003-2005 have placed the Estonia grand pianos in the highest or second highest tier of quality, based upon ranking systems frequently referred to in the piano industry, although such rankings are frequently also disputed.
Models
Estonia pianos are performance quality acoustic grand pianos manufactured in the Republic of Estonia. Three models are currently (as of January 2007) offered for sale:
- the L168 Studio Grand (168 cm, 5'6"),
- the L190 Parlour Grand (190 cm, 6'3"), and
- the L274 Concert Grand (274 cm, 9'0").
External links
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