Sometimes the result meant a sacrifice in quality, but often it was more a sacrifice in aesthetics, with still a pleasing sound from the instrument. Piano manufacturers also learned how to make “economy” pianos so that people could still enjoy music on a tighter budget. Grands and baby grands were still being produced, and the styles of their cases were also simplified. Shorter pianos also became more popular because they took up less visual space in the room, as rooms were smaller than before.

This is why piano makers, including Behning & Sons, started producing the plain, boxy style cabinets for their upright pianos. Their lives had been stripped of frills and “extras.” They had no use for ornate things now they wanted more practical items in their homes. People did not have money for extravagance. This one came into existence right on the heels of the Great Depression. I don’t recall much about what this piano looked like, except that it was plain. The Behning & Sons piano that was given to me was marked with Serial #48409, indicating that it was manufactured in 1922, when the two sons were running the company. Behning & Sons certainly made some of the finest, most ornate pianos I have ever seen, according to photos I’ve come across on the Internet. When you think of old pianos, do you think of ornate carvings? The fancy pianos are the ones made in the early 1900s and before. 1956 ~ production under Kohler & Campbell ceases.

1932 ~ Kohler & Campbell acquire the company.1931 ~ Gustave runs the company on his own and moves it to West 51st Street.1920 ~ both sons, Henry and Gustave, take over the company and expand to East 133rd Street and Alexander name changes to Behning & Sons.1881 ~ Behning partners with son Henry, and name changes to Behning & Son.1878 ~ Behning terminates partnership with Mr.1873 ~ Behning terminates partnership with Klix and continues building pianos under his own name.Albrecht Klix, building pianos under the name of Behning & Klix 1861 ~ Henry Behning establishes Behning Piano Company in New York City on East 128th Street.I’ve decided to show its history in a time line format, as the ownership/management underwent several changes over the years.

The Behning Piano Company, established in 1861 in New York, survived for nearly 100 years, and has a colorful history.

Behning upright piano for sale