The museum’s collection includes a Mühlbach grand piano. This is a “mignon” model, between the petite and parlor grand pianos. Keyboard instruments originated in the German-speaking countries, and it is natural that people from these countries began to establish enterprises for the manufacture of instruments in Russia, primarily in St. Petersburg.
Theodor Franz Adolf Mühlbach (1826–1901) was known in Russia as Fyodor Mikhailovich Mühlbach. During many years, he worked under such recognized masters as Johann Wirth and Jakob Becker. In 1856, Mühlbach acquired a small workshop on Decembrists Street in St. Petersburg. At first, there were only three workers, and the instruments were replicas of Becker pianos. However, over the years, the quality and quantity of instruments increased, and by 1870, the workshop produced up to 50 pianos a year. Only rosewood and walnut trees were used to make the pianos, parts for the mechanisms were ordered from England, and the keys were lined with ivory. The pianos had seven octaves.
In 1870, at the All-Russian Manufactory Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Mühlbach pianos were highly acclaimed. In 1878, after studying in Leipzig, Fyodor Fyodorovich, the son of Fyodor Mikhailovich (Friedrich Hermann Ernst Mühlbach), joined his father’s enterprise and, thanks to the knowledge gained in Germany, managed to improve the quality of the instruments. Among other improvements, Fyodor Fyodorovich created a new model — a “mignon” piano. Subsequently, this model became the most popular among buyers.
The production was gradually growing, and in the early 1880s the factory moved to a larger building, and the F. Mühlbach brand store was opened at the former address. In 1901, the management of the factory passed to Mühlbach daughter Adele Feodorovna and her husband Adolf Ivanovich Nating.
World War I ruined the business: strikes and downtime reduced production volumes, and only 12 staff members remained after the others had left. In 1917, the factory closed and the owners went abroad.
Theodor Franz Adolf Mühlbach (1826–1901) was known in Russia as Fyodor Mikhailovich Mühlbach. During many years, he worked under such recognized masters as Johann Wirth and Jakob Becker. In 1856, Mühlbach acquired a small workshop on Decembrists Street in St. Petersburg. At first, there were only three workers, and the instruments were replicas of Becker pianos. However, over the years, the quality and quantity of instruments increased, and by 1870, the workshop produced up to 50 pianos a year. Only rosewood and walnut trees were used to make the pianos, parts for the mechanisms were ordered from England, and the keys were lined with ivory. The pianos had seven octaves.
In 1870, at the All-Russian Manufactory Exhibition in St. Petersburg, Mühlbach pianos were highly acclaimed. In 1878, after studying in Leipzig, Fyodor Fyodorovich, the son of Fyodor Mikhailovich (Friedrich Hermann Ernst Mühlbach), joined his father’s enterprise and, thanks to the knowledge gained in Germany, managed to improve the quality of the instruments. Among other improvements, Fyodor Fyodorovich created a new model — a “mignon” piano. Subsequently, this model became the most popular among buyers.
The production was gradually growing, and in the early 1880s the factory moved to a larger building, and the F. Mühlbach brand store was opened at the former address. In 1901, the management of the factory passed to Mühlbach daughter Adele Feodorovna and her husband Adolf Ivanovich Nating.
World War I ruined the business: strikes and downtime reduced production volumes, and only 12 staff members remained after the others had left. In 1917, the factory closed and the owners went abroad.
