HISTORY
Since its founding in Landshut, Germany in 1884, the Willis piano company has won three gold medals in German manufacturing, laying the foundation for Willis Piano's 100-year-old piano in Germany. The founder of the company, Alexander Parker Willis, respects the idea of “Let everyone have a high quality piano”. Today, not forgetting the original heart, it is considered to be one of the most successful high-end piano brands. While inheriting the centuries-old hand-made piano craft, it cites the international advanced modern manufacturing technology to increase the production capacity while the piano craft is more precise. Let more people play, hear, and touch the Willis piano, and feel the perfect combination of acoustic quality and playing performance.
Alexander Parker Willis
“Let everyone have a high quality piano”
1884
Founder Alexander Parker Willis founded Willis in Landshut, Germany. Through the exchanges with famous musicians and music directors of music theatres to fully understand their needs, the first batch of Konzert (concert) pianos was developed in 1884, which has won the love of many musicians with its excellent sound. Once the products were promoted to the market, the sales volume increased sharply. Many customers from other countries also came here. Alexander Parker Willis's mission of “letting everyone have the best piano” came to life and began to actively plan to expand overseas markets. In the same year, the Canadian sales company Willis&co was established. In 1900, most of the shares of the Lesage & Fils piano factory were acquired.
Wilis factory in Germany
1884 Landshut factory in Germany
1910
In 1910, Willis' peak production reached 3,000 units, and in September the same year, a second piano factory was established.
The second factory in Willis, Germany
In 1910, Willis' peak production reached 3,000 units, and the second factory was established in September of the same year.
1911
As the business grew, Wilhelm Willis began to take over the company and became the second generation manager of the German WILLIS company. Since then, he has cooperated with many musicians. In 1911, the famous German composer and conductor Richard Sturt Rolls used the WILLIS piano as the conductor of the music group of the Bavarian National Opera in Munich.
WILLIS Piano Large Retail Center
In 1912, WILLIS Piano built a new large retail center with a piano showroom, office and concert hall.
1912
In 1912, WILLIS Piano built a new large retail center with a piano showroom, office and concert hall. Invited to the world's top artist Richard Strauss, Wilhelm Backhaus, to the concert hall to perform concerts with the latest WILLIS piano. Wilhelm Backhaus praised "The voice of the WILLIS piano is what I dreamed of, and the piano should only be written for it."
WILLIS piano sales exceeded 10,000 units
1913
In 1913, it broke through 10,000 units and its annual output reached 4,000 units, making it the first important milestone for Willis.
Bavarian Opera House designated piano
In 1933, the Willis piano became the designated piano for the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany.
1933
The WILLIS piano won the gold medal in German manufacturing and officially became the designated piano for the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Germany. It has also become the European royal piano. As the former old palace opera house, the opera group participated in the world premiere of many famous operas. In the history, Mozart, Strauss, Wagner and other famous musicians have stopped in Munich.
Won three gold medals in German manufacturing
Willis Piano was awarded the "German Piano Manufacturing Gold Award" in 1933, 1953, and 1966 in Bavaria, Germany.
1939
Mr. William Willis took office as the third manager. At this time, the WILLIS piano has become a popular German piano, and is world-renowned. The continuous increase in production orders allowed him to decide to add a Willis piano production line, invest heavily in technology research and development, design and develop an independent back column design, and strike the string system to upgrade the sound quality again.In 1939, WILLIS Piano, the first piano company and the International Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), called for the protection of endangered species. Co-designed to create a Pianorignal nine-foot concert playing piano. With excellent quality and exquisite craftsmanship, in 1953, the WILLIS piano was once again awarded the German Manufacturing Gold Award, which established the leading position of the German piano industry.
Pianorignal
In 1939, WILLIS Piano, the first piano company and the International Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), called for the protection of endangered species. Co-designed to create a Pianorignal nine-foot concert playing piano.
1966
The fourth generation of Kristen Willis took office. In 1966, the Willis piano won the gold medal in German manufacturing again. Winning the German Made Gold Award three times in a row, it is amazement of the traditional German handcrafted craftsmanship of Willis Piano. A retailer of Willis & Co. in Canada was sold by the Willis family in 1967 The global branch was merged with the Landshut Willis company in German. At the headquarters, introducing new technologies and materials made by modern pianos, Kristen Willis attaches great importance to design. In 1975, he hired the top Bavarian designer Willibald Zeilhofer who won several German design gold awards to design the "Future" series of grand piano products. Europe has caused a huge sensation. Many artists say, "This is not only a beautiful piano, but also a work of art, it's wonderful."With the future series, we will enter the international grand piano level. The great art of piano making once again set sail. Today in the 21st century, Willis Piano is still the most acclaimed German piano.
Future series piano
In 1975, the leading designer of Bavaria, Willibald Zeilhofer, designed the "Future" series of grand piano products.
