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Erard, Sébastien

Sébastien Érard 5 April 1752 – 5 August 1831 was a French piano (and harp) maker. German born with the name Erhard, he worked in Paris and, during the French Revolution, in London. He was a great innovator and developed many features which have become standard in a modern piano action.


Founded around 1770, the business continued until the 1960s, when Érard merged with Gaveau, Boisselot and Pleyel. The merged business was acquired by Schimmel and piano production finally ceased on 2013.

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