Over the course of several generations Sauter pianos have been awarded patents and gained international acclaim, yet they remain widely unknown in the UK. We aim to change that!
Sauter Pianos: World’s Oldest Piano Manufacturer
As the world’s oldest manufacturer of pianos still in business today, Sauter have over 200 years’ worth of experience in engineering pianos, and their passion for precision make them popular among performers and technicians alike, and is why we at Coach House Pianos have become their main distributor in the UK, showcasing their fantastic range of Grand Pianos and Upright Pianos.
Established in 1819
"I found Sauter to be of the highest quality and equal to the ability of Bösendorfer and Steinway. A Sauter piano has a special, dark sound and a lot to discover. It doesn't give everything away at once, but rewards dedication."
- Harriet Stubbs, Concert Pianist
Where it began
Founded in the Black Forest in South West Germany and engineered using 100% German parts, Sauter is a world-class European piano manufacturer with a standard of excellence.
Sauter’s story begins with Johann Grimm, who studied piano making under Johann Andreas Streicher in Vienna. Streicher was close friends with Beethoven and piano teacher to Mozart’s son, and his wife ran Beethoven's household for many years.
The seed for Sauter was therefore planted in the very heart of Vienna’s musical scene, as Grimm assisted in making pianos for some of the greatest composers in history.
When he returned to his home in Germany in 1819, he was fired up and ready to start building pianos of his own!
Original Workshops in Spaichingen, Germany
How it developed
Much like Coach House Pianos, Sauter are a family business at heart, passing down through the generations and improving year by year to become one of the finest piano manufacturers in the world today.
Grimm's successor was his nephew, Carl Sauter, and it was Carl that developed the original workshops into a larger factory.
When Carl's son, Johanna Sauter, later inherited the business he took it to new heights. Travelling extensively, Johann brought back many new ideas and innovations from America and other locations.
Johann Sauter's son, Carl Sauter II, led the company from 1909 and was the force behind the expansion of the factory and its increase in production. Under his leadership Sauter became known more and more throughout Germany for delivering outstanding quality and improved piano models.
Hans Sauter, Carl Sauter II's son, took over operations in 1948, applying new scientific discoveries, new technology and new materials to contemporary piano manufacturing.
The Sound of Sauter
The sound and design of Sauter pianos were soon being exported worldwide!
Carl Sauter III, brother of Hans, took over in 1968 and constructed a new factory building between 1974 and 1983. With the development of the double repetition action and the introduction of the high-quality M series in the early 90s, Sauter continued to find success.
Their patented Double Repetition Action is perhaps what they are best known for, and this features in almost all their pianos as standard, allowing for speedy and sensitive playing on uprights (where gravity works against you) as much as on grands.
Double Repetition Action in Upright Piano
The Details
Additional details such as:
- Heavy-duty music desks with multiple adjustable positions;
- Over-engineered hinges on the lid props;
- Easily adjusted damper parts for finer regulation and;
- Internal hygrometers to monitor the perfect climate for your instrument
all combine to make Sauter pianos some of the best engineered pianos on the market.
Over-engineered hinges on lid props on Grand Piano
Internal Hygrometers
Sauter today
After Carl Sauter III's retirement in 1993, Otto Hott acquired a majority share of the company. He runs Sauter today together with Ulrich Sauter.
Sauter at Coach House Pianos
Among our selection of grand pianos and upright pianos, we currently have a selection of wonderful instruments from Sauter available at Coach House Pianos, including:
Designed by acclaimed interior designer Peter Maly, the Vivace is a contemporary version of a grand piano. It maintains a classic shape but with some more modern elements, such as stainless steel legs.
Sauter Vivace Grand Piano by Peter Maly
Sauter Vivace Grand Pianos by Peter Maly
Sauter Masterclass 130 Upright Piano
Featuring white spruce harvested from the Fiemme Valley in Germany, walnut core hammerheads and a hand-polished cast plate, the masterclass uprights are indeed instruments of mastery.
Sauter Masterclass 130 Upright Piano
Sauter Masterclass 130 Upright Piano
This functional yet aesthetically pleasing model is perfect for schools, churches, clubs and stages. With a bumper/transport handle, this piano is easy to move around for classes and concerts.
Sauter School Upright Piano
Sauter School Upright Piano
At Coach House Pianos we have a wonderful selection of these premium grand pianos and upright pianos available to trial and purchase. If you would like any more information about the brand or a specific piano model, then please do get in touch.
If you love Sauter already or have any questions, please leave a comment below.
