German Music Industry
Ingbert Bluthner followed in the rich history of his family tradition of building world-class pianos. Under Ingbert’s leadership the company expanded production and models along with developing new global distribution chains. Over the years, since his own oral history interview, Ingbert has been a...
Albrecht Kretzschmann was the vice president of sales for JA Musik in Germany and played an important role in the company’s expansion into the global market. His vast understanding of the brass instrument product line along with export business became a factor in the commerce of musical instruments...
Gerhard Meinl represents the 7th generation in a family of brass instrument makers. After integrating the East German, formerly state-owned, B&S GmbH in Markneukirchen in 1991 with Melton Meinl Weston, Gerhard and an investment group bought the clarinet maker Antoine Courtois in 1994.Then in ...
Nikolaus Schimmel served as president for his family’s piano company for several decades. The German based Schimmel Piano Company has been building fine instruments for over one hundred years and under Nikolaus’ leadership the company expanded its export business, becoming a well-known brand of...
Hannes Schimmel-Vogel is the president of the German based Schimmel Piano Company. He took over the role when his father-in-law, Nikolaus Schimmel, retired. At the time of his first NAMM interview, Hannes was working closely with Nikolaus to learn the trade and meet many of the dealers and...
Gotthold Meyer became a very successful German wholesaler when he and his wife formed the 'Gotthold Meyer' company, which later on became 'Musik-Meyer'. His visionary thinking led to strong international relationships and partnerships around the world. Gotthold was a key player in the export of...