Pleyel name has been revived. Although the original French factory closed in 2013, the brand was relaunched in 2017 by Gérard Garnier and his son Benjamin through the Algam Group, a major musical instrument distributor. Today, new Pleyel pianos are being developed and produced in Nantes, France, with prototypes already introduced to the market.
The Rebirth of Pleyel
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2013 Closure: The historic Saint-Denis factory shut down after centuries of production.
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2017 Relaunch: Gérard and Benjamin Garnier revived the brand under Algam Group, investing four years in R&D to recapture the signature “crystalline yet mellow timbre” admired by Chopin.
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Modern Innovations: The new Pleyel pianos aim to combine traditional French craftsmanship with modern reliability, orchestral power, and touch consistency.
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Global Distribution: The brand is re-entering international markets.
What This Means
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Cultural Legacy: Pleyel remains tied to Chopin’s heritage, but now seeks relevance in the 21st century.
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Luxury Positioning: The revived brand focuses on high-end, artisanal instruments rather than mass-market production.
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Collector & Performer Appeal: Musicians and institutions interested in French piano tradition can once again access new Pleyel instruments.
Big Picture
While the original Pleyel company is gone, the name and tradition live on through Algam Group’s revival. For Hong Kong and China audiences, this means the Pleyel brand is no longer just history — it’s available again, though positioned as a niche, luxury piano line rather than a mass-market competitor.
Reference:
Pleyel
湯 先生/ Mr. Tong
英國註冊鋼琴技師 / Registered Piano Technician (MPTA)
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