Albert Weber

Background

Albert Weber was born in Bavaria.

Education

He was well educated, and became an accomplished musician, particularly as an organist.

Career

When he was sixteen years of age he came to America, landing in New York City. He subsequently decided to become a piano manufacturer, and served an apprenticeship with Holden and later with Van Winkle. To earn money for his board he gave music lessons in the evenings, and played the organ in churches on Sundays. Seven years later, when he was twenty-three years of age, he entered business for himself as a piano manufacturer. His first shop was located in the upper stories of a small building at 103 West Broadway, and his complete working force consisted of himself, Edward Stroud, and one case maker. By October 1 the trio completed its first instrument, and by January 1, 1852, five more were ready for sale. In 1857, following a fire which destroyed his shop and equipment, he moved to larger quarters at 155 West Broadway. In 1864 the firm moved again, to the corner of Broome and Crosby Streets, and in 1867 it occupied its own building at 17th Street and 7th Avenue. In 1869 he became a pioneer in the trade by opening warerooms on Fifth Avenue, at 16th Street. From that time his pianos became fashionable, and were known for their high quality. Weber bore most of the burden of running his business himself. He was in charge of all branches, manufacturing and selling, both wholesale and retail. He was of a social disposition, and spent his evenings at the opera, theatre, and concerts. It was generally believed that he overtaxed his strength, and that overwork was the cause of his death at the age of fifty in New York City. After he died, the business of the Weber Piano Company was carried on by Weber's sons. In 1892 it became the Weber-Wheelock Company, and in 1903, through a merger, it was made a division of the Aeolian, Weber Piano & Pianola Company. Many anecdotes are told of Weber's brilliance. An accomplished pianist, he would often play to prospective customers, and it is said that "seldom would an intending buyer leave his warerooms without having secured a piano".

Achievements

• Unlike Chickering and the Steinways, Weber did not invent or create anything new in piano construction, but he was such a thorough craftsman himself, and such a judge of piano tone, that he knew how to employ the most approved methods of piano-making in use during his career. With V. Wilhelm L. Knabe, the Steinways, and Jonas Chickering, he was one of those who realized the value to piano manufacturers of concerts by pianists, and he often engaged famous soloists to give concerts in leading cities, thus helping to create "a popularity for the piano in proportion to the growth of wealth in the United States". He is credited with having originated the term "baby grand, " to designate the short grand piano.