History

In 1935 Jaques Samuel began what was to become London's premier independent piano house. Originally situated in Notting Hill the business soon outgrew its surroundings and was moved to the present premises in Marble Arch.

Edward Mandel

Jaques Samuel sold the business to Edward Mandel in 1965 and to this day his family remain the major shareholders. In the same year we were appointed Bechstein House.

Timeline

Jaques Samuel

1935
Jaques Samuel and his wife moved from Austria to UK. He was a piano tuner and set up as such also selling a few pianos that he had reconditioned. The 'shop' was situated in their front room in a house in Notting Hill.

1940’s
The business outgrows their front room and the shop moves to Park West Place.

early 1960's
Jaques Samuel develops cancer and finds the business too much to cope with. He looks for a suitable young man to take over.

Edward Mandel

1965
Shop sold to Edward Mandel who was then working at Marks and Spencer's.
Jaques Samuel Pianos becomes Bechstein House.

late 1960’s
First piano hires in private homes.

Edgware Road

1972
Shop moves to 142 Edgware Road/Marble Arch. In the basement was a restoration factory, the shop becomes famous for the quality of its restoration work.

1994
Edward Mandel becomes less able to work, so his children take control.

Terence Lewis

1996
Terence Lewis becomes MD of Jaques Samuel Pianos (formerly piano buyer at Harrods).
£0.5 million refurbishment of the showrooms, practice rooms start at 1 and soon increase to 7. Rush Hours Recitals start, pianists such as, Angela Hewitt, Nikolai Demidenko, Stephen Hough, Piers Lane, Artur Pizarro play at the shop.

1996
JSP Intercollegiate Piano Competition starts. Winners have included Bobby Chen, Yevgenny Sudbin, Alexeiu Grynyuk, Emmanuel Despax, Andrei Korobeinikov.

Fazioli pianos

1999
Jaques Samuels becomes UK’s sole supplier of Fazioli pianos.

2000
Jaques Samuels record label started to support young artists – all profits to the artist.

2004
Jaques Samuels becomes Europe's biggest dealer of Fazioli.

Fazioli Centre