The Akustika exhibition in Nuremberg wrapped up this past weekend, and I spent my time exploring the piano section in depth. I’ll admit, I approached this year’s event with a touch of skepticism - after all, last year you practically needed a butterfly net to catch visitors. So hats off to the organizers, who didn’t let last year’s modest turnout discourage them and returned with a much bolder performance.
 

I’ve been attending instrument exhibitions for 35 years now - Anaheim, Frankfurt, even ventures into China - and over time, I’ve seen the full arc of the piano industry’s fortunes. With the closure of Frankfurt’s once-legendary expo, our beloved instruments fell into something of a public silence. But this new initiative in Nürnberg feels like the beginning of a welcome revival across Europe.
 

Naturally, I found myself reminiscing about the Frankfurt years. I looked for old faces, some were there, thankfully, but time marches on. I searched for colleagues who, sadly, are no longer with us. The news of the passing of Europiano’s former vice president and Renner’s previous president hit me hard. But out of loss has come renewal: in their place are new, young, and dynamic managers who bring energy and determination to the field. And I’m happy to report - they’re fighters too. Fighters for the piano.
 

Let’s be honest - the market isn’t exactly throwing us a standing ovation right now. But there’s no need to lose hope. In countless conversations, interviews, and presentations, one thing was clear: no one is giving up. On the contrary, many are preparing for a comeback. The exhibitor list read like a who’s who of the piano world: Steingraeber, Sauter, Förster, Steinway, Yamaha, Bösendorfer, Petrof, Feurich, Schulze Pollmann, plus major parts suppliers like Jahn and Renner. Even the organisations - BDK and Europiano - were on site, alongside many smaller companies presenting surprising and innovative developments. (Apologies to anyone I’ve forgotten!)
 

One Swiss company especially caught my attention - they unveiled three innovations I had never even heard of. That’s impressive in any context, but especially in an industry that tends to evolve at a slower tempo. And of course, it wasn’t just about grand pianos - friends of the piano world were there too: organ and harpsichord makers, sheet music publishers... and yes, in one unforgettable moment, a Förster upright piano was converted into a beer tap. I kid you not. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the beer; the marketing manager only offered me a pour from the other side of the piano - where syrup was flowing. Oh well, maybe they’ll get a shorter article from me next time 😏.
 

I left the show with a head full of ideas and a notebook full of plans. In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing interviews, innovations, and insights that I believe you’ll find both interesting and inspiring. Stay tuned.

 

Final Thoughts

Even the automotive industry has faced serious challenges lately. And yet, Ferrari achieved a remarkable €1.53 billion profit in 2024, marking a 21% increase over the previous year. Their total annual net revenue grew by 12%—despite delivering only 1% more cars than in 2023!

Why mention this? To remind ourselves not to lose heart in the piano industry either. Let’s draw strength from challenging times, focus on quality, and believe in our work and in our brands. Let’s go, I’m all in. Are you?