Petrof is a Czech piano manufacturer with a storied legacy dating back to 1864. Over more than 160 years, this family-run company has grown from a humble workshop into an iconic brand recognized among the world’s top piano makers. Today, Petrof is celebrated as the largest producer of acoustic grand and upright pianos in Europe, exporting its instruments to over 60 countries across five continents. The journey of Petrof – from its founding by Antonín Petrof through wars and political upheaval to modern global recognition – illustrates a heritage of craftsmanship and resilience, placing it shoulder-to-shoulder with legendary piano brands like Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Bösendorfer, and Kawai.
Founding and Early Years (1864–1880s)
Antonín Petrof founded the company in 1864 in his hometown of Hradec Králové after honing his craft in Vienna under renowned piano makers. He built his first grand piano that year, converting his father’s woodworking shop behind a local cathedral into a small piano workshop. Early on, Petrof’s ambitions were tested by history: the Austro-Prussian War’s Battle of Hradec Králové in 1866 interrupted production at the fledgling workshop. Nonetheless, Petrof persevered and soon expanded his business. In 1874 he opened a new factory and began producing harmoniums (reed organs) alongside pianos. By the early 1880s the company was growing beyond its regional roots – establishing a subsidiary in Hungary in 1880 and introducing upright piano models by 1883. What started as a one-man workshop quickly evolved into a bustling piano manufacturing enterprise.
Rise to International Fame (1890s–1930s)
By the 1890s, Petrof had emerged as a respected name in European piano making. In 1895 the company began exporting its instruments abroad and even set up a service center and warehouse in Vienna to serve international customers. Antonín Petrof’s pianos earned such renown that in 1899 he was appointed an Imperial and Royal Court Piano Maker to the Austro-Hungarian Empire – a mark of distinction that placed Petrof among the elite piano manufacturers of the era. After the founder’s passing in 1915, his son Vladimír Petrof took over leadership, ensuring the firm remained a proud family business. Under the second generation, Petrof continued to innovate and expand globally. By 1924, Petrof was exporting pianos not only across Europe but also to far-flung markets in Japan, China, Australia, and South America. In 1928, demonstrating its international prestige, Petrof partnered with the famed Steinway & Sons to open a joint office in London, showcasing Czech piano craftsmanship on the world stage. The 1930s brought further accolades – at the 1934 World Exhibition in Brussels, Petrof instruments won a Grand Prix gold medal. By that time the factory in Hradec Králové employed roughly 400 workers and was firmly established as a leader in piano making. Petrof had grown from a local workshop into a company of global standing, known for the quality and warm, singing character of its pianos.
Challenges Through War and Nationalization (1940s–1980s)
The mid-20th century tested Petrof’s resilience. World War II brought hardships to Europe’s piano industry, but Petrof survived the tumult of the era. A greater upheaval came after the war: in 1948, the newly installed Communist regime in Czechoslovakia nationalized the Petrof company, taking it out of the Petrof family’s hands. For the next four decades, Petrof remained under state ownership. Despite losing direct family control, the Petrof name endured and the factory continued to produce pianos for musicians at home and abroad. Even under socialism, the company upheld its reputation for craftsmanship and innovation. In 1954 a dedicated research and development department was established to refine designs and improve quality. Petrof pianos from this era won recognition such as a gold medal for the Petrof Mondial model at the 1958 World’s Fair (EXPO) in Brussels. Throughout the challenges of political change, Petrof maintained its status as a premier European piano maker, keeping alive the legacy of excellence that Antonín Petrof had begun.
Return to Family and Modern Renaissance (1990s–Present)
The fall of communism in 1989 paved the way for Petrof’s return to its founders’ descendants. In 1991, after 43 years of state control, the company was returned to the Petrof family. Antonín Petrof’s great-grandson Jan Petrof (the fourth generation) took leadership, initiating a revival and modernization of the historic brand. The family oversaw the swift privatization of Petrof in the 1990s, and by 1998 privatization was complete. Modern facilities were developed, including a new research center in 1994 with a state-of-the-art acoustic testing chamber to drive innovation in piano building. In 2001 the Petrof factory and business fully returned to family ownership and control, reaffirming the Petrof legacy. Under the guidance of the founder’s great-great-granddaughters – Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová and her sister – the company entered a new golden age. Zuzana (fifth generation) became company president in 2004 and even chaired the European Association of Musical Instrument Manufacturers, signaling Petrof’s prominence in the industry. Petrof continued to expand its global reach, opening a US subsidiary in 2008 to serve the American market. In 2014, celebrating its 150th anniversary, Petrof launched the ANT. PETROF premium line of concert grand pianos, named in honor of Antonín Petrof, to cater to the most demanding artists. Leadership has since passed to the sixth generation: in 2022, Anna Petrof (Antonín’s great-great-great-granddaughter) became CEO of the family firm. Through all these developments, Petrof has blended tradition with innovation – preserving hand-crafted techniques (about 80% of each piano is still built by hand) while adopting modern engineering, such as their patented magnetic action technology for improving key response. This modern renaissance has ensured that Petrof’s distinctive instruments continue to charm pianists around the world.
Legacy and Iconic Status
A modern Petrof grand piano on display (Building Fairs Brno, 2011). Petrof’s elegant instruments, built with European materials and craftsmanship, are prized for their rich, singing tone.
Petrof’s remarkable history and consistent quality have cemented its status as one of the piano world’s iconic brands. The company is today widely regarded as Europe’s most significant piano manufacturer and has gained a host of awards over the decades – from the King George Medal in London to Grand Prix honors in Paris and Brussels. Petrof stands among the top-tier piano makers globally, often mentioned alongside names like Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Bösendorfer, and Kawai as a symbol of piano excellence. Its instruments are known for a characteristically warm, romantic tone that sets them apart. This soulful sound, combined with meticulous European craftsmanship, has attracted generations of famous musicians. Petrof pianos have been played and admired by artists such as Ray Charles and Paul McCartney, among many other luminaries. In recent years, Petrof’s highest-quality models have earned industry accolades – for example, in 2023 the Petrof ANT. PETROF series was ranked in the top “Iconic” class by an international piano guide, reflecting the brand’s esteemed reputation.
From a single workshop in 19th-century Bohemia to a global presence in the 21st century, Petrof’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and family tradition. Six generations of the Petrof family have upheld the founder’s commitment to beautiful, hand-crafted pianos, allowing the company to endure wars, political shifts, and changing musical tastes. Today, the Petrof name remains synonymous with quality and artistry, and each piano that leaves the Hradec Králové factory carries forward the living legacy of a truly legendary piano brand