Henry Ziegler

Biography

Henry Ziegler, son of Doretta Steinway Ziegler, was born in New York and learned cabinet-making in his father's shops. His uncle Theodore Steinway recognized his genius as an independent thinker and made him his pupil in piano construction from 1875 until Theodore's death in 1889, declaring him his worthy successor. Building on Theodore's innovations, Ziegler focused on improving tone through the sound board's resonance, patenting a string frame (iron plate) designed so the wrest plank could be inserted independent of the piano case, letting the sound board vibrate more freely; this also enabled an improved, separated Capo d'Astro bar for uprights that enhanced the singing quality of upper octaves in the Verte Grand piano. He remodelled the scales of the Steinway grand and upright pianos and patented further grand piano improvements in October 1899. His latest creation was the Miniature Grand, only five feet six inches long, which retained the tonal qualities of a full grand. A devoted student of acoustics and tone production, he was said to prefer solitary work in his studio to any public pursuit. Henry Ziegler is named in Alfred Dolge's foreword among a small group of contemporaries -- with Frank J. Conover, Richard W. Gertz, and Paul G. Mehlin -- whose current labors Dolge could not treat in the book because its scope was confined to past events already settled by time. Dolge writes that he 'regretted especially' this omission, describing the group as men 'earnestly engaged in improving the heritage left us by the masters of the past,' which indicates Ziegler was, as of 1911, actively working to advance piano construction. No further detail about the nature of his specific work, company affiliation, or biography is given in this portion of the text. Henry Ziegler, son of Doretta Steinway-Ziegler and a pupil of the late Theodore Steinway, was placed in charge of the construction department at Steinway & Sons in the generation following the firm's founders. He was assisted in this role by Theodore F. Steinway, son of the late William Steinway. Henry Ziegler taught Theodore Cassebeer for one year at Steinway and Sons so that he might become versed in the theory of piano building, prior to Cassebeer's apprenticeship under the firm's lumber inspector. From Spillane (1890): Henry Ziegler, born October 30, 1857, was a member of the firm of Steinway & Sons and a nephew of William Steinway. He was described as "very popular personally, and a specialist of a high type in the realm of piano improvement," as well as "thoroughly practical."

Highlights

• Named by Dolge in the foreword among contemporaries he regretted being unable to cover, since the book's scope was limited to past events.
• Described, along with Conover, Gertz, and Mehlin, as 'earnestly engaged in improving the heritage left us by the masters of the past.'
• Son of Doretta Steinway-Ziegler and pupil of the late Theodore Steinway
• In charge of the construction department, assisted by Theodore F. Steinway
• Personally trained by Theodore Steinway from 1875 until Theodore's death in 1889, and declared by him his worthy successor
• Patented a string frame allowing the wrest plank to be inserted independent of the piano case, and a separated Capo d'Astro bar for uprights
• Designed the Steinway 'Miniature Grand,' only five feet six inches long
• Instructed Theodore Cassebeer for a year in the theory of piano building
• Nephew of William Steinway.
• Described as "a specialist of a high type in the realm of piano improvement" and "thoroughly practical."

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 312; Vol. II (1913), pp. 182, 183, 185, 187.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 222.

Public domain.