Pleyel Has Just Shut Down Its Piano Production

The year begins with some sad news out of France: Pleyel has just shut down its production facilities at the end of 2013. NPR's article on the subject looks at the reasons for Pleyel's demise in light of the demographic and geographical shifts in the piano market. Everyone has been talking about consolidation in the piano industry in the coming years, but it's mighty sad to see it happen.

Here's Janina Fialkowska talking about and playing an 1848 Pleyel:



This optimistic AFP report from a few years ago talks about Pleyel's strategic decision to move upmarket that might have led to its eventual demise: