Adolf Schiedmayer
d. 1890 · German
Biography
Adolf Schiedmayer of Stuttgart, holding the title of Privy Commercial Counselor, was elected president of the German "Association of Piano Manufacturers" when it was organized at Leipsic in 1893. Under his energetic leadership the association went beyond the aims of its Paris counterpart, making it compulsory for manufacturers to train apprentices in proportion to their workforce, and Schiedmayer personally organized a trade school for piano makers in Stuttgart -- described as the first institution of its kind -- to teach the scientific theory and practice of piano building, supported by member contributions and the protection of the royal Wurtemburg government. When the various German music-trade bodies combined in October 1908 to form the National Association of Musical Instrument Industries, headquartered at Leipsic with bureaus in Leipsic, Berlin, and Stuttgart, Schiedmayer was named its president, with Hermann Feurich and Max Blüthner serving as vice-presidents. A portrait of Schiedmayer accompanies the text. Son of Johann Lorenz Schiedmayer, Adolf Schiedmayer was admitted to partnership with his brother Hermann in 1845, at which point the firm was renamed Schiedmayer & Söhne. In 1881 he received the title of "Counselor of Commerce" from the King of Wurtemburg. He died in 1890; his brother Hermann died the following year. A portrait captioned "Adolf Schiedmayer" accompanies the text on this page, though the text does not make explicit whether it depicts Adolf Schiedmayer or his son and namesake, Adolf Schiedmayer, Jr.
Highlights
- Admitted to partnership with his brother Hermann in 1845, giving the firm its name Schiedmayer & Söhne
- Received the title "Counselor of Commerce" from the King of Wurtemburg in 1881
- Elected president of the German Association of Piano Manufacturers, organized at Leipsic in 1893
- As its energetic president, organized a trade school for piano makers in Stuttgart -- called the first institution of its kind -- to give young men scientific and practical training in piano building
- Also headed the National Association of Musical Instrument Industries, formed in October 1908 to represent all German music-industry organizations on tariff, transportation, and factory matters
Source
Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 228, 229, 407, 409.
Public domain.