who we are
Established in the 1970s by Munich native Carl Demler, Beethoven Pianos is the oldest family-owned piano store in New York City. Known for our eclectic and diverse group of piano enthusiasts, our team has garnered extensive expertise in the art of piano sales and production. With a collection of over 600 pianos, ranging from professional, full-sized concert grands to affordable uprights, we are dedicated to helping you discover the piano that best fits your needs. In addition to providing the finest quality of instruments and customer experiences for over four decades, we strive to be a force of preservation for both this beautiful instrument and for the gift of music to the generations to come.
OUR STORY
Beethoven Pianos was founded in 1978 by a Munich native named Carl Demler who had a passion for service and hospitality. After graduating from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration & Hospitality Management, Mr. Demler moved to New York City to manage/co own The Colony, a french fine dining restaurant. Unfortunately, the The Colony eventually closed it doors, and Mr. Demler was left with a few old pianos from the establishment. Deemed too valuable to throw away, Mr. Demler learned to repair the pianos and sold them to musicians he knew in the city. It was then that Mr. Demler decided to merge his two passions of hospitality & classical music, by opening a piano store right there in his apartment at that time. He named the business after one his favorite musicians.
Since then, Beethoven Pianos has grown tremendously; now with more than 1,000 pianos in its collection and two New York City locations (the Manhattan Showroom and the Bronx Warehouse). The company also offers a wide range of services provided by a team of piano enthusiasts that have garnered extensive expertise in the art of piano sales, production, moving, and repair.
Mr. Demler devoted the 40 years of his life servicing musicians and families in all things pianos. After his passing in 2015, Beethoven Pianos is survived by his family, making the company the oldest-family owned piano store in New York City. Beethoven Pianos carries on Carl Demler’s legacy by continuing to devote its effort in providing the best pianos and piano services to its customers.
Testimonials
“Do not hesitate to move your instruments with Beethoven. They are total pros and the absolute best!”
“I just want to thank Beethoven Pianos for the safe move of our upright Steinway piano. The two movers were careful and professional and had to deal with a very narrow hallway at our current residence. Not a mark on the walls! I would recommend Beethoven Pianos for the relocation of any piano.”
“I just wanted to thank you for your help with coordinating my piano move. Your team was very professional and friendly and we were very pleased with the service. Thank you again for your time and efforts.”
“... I would like to add that the movers were excellent in every way, they took great care of my piano and they were highly professional in every way! and, they all had a great sense of humor, which is very important. I will highly recommend Beethoven Piano Movers to all my piano playing friends!”
“I just wanted to write to thank you again for everything - our shoot went extremely well, and your preparedness and cooperation were above and beyond what I’ve come to expect from most locations. Your staff was extremely courteous and helpful, and all of their work helped to move our day along without any complications. Honestly, it was as perfect an experience as I’ve ever had at a location, and I can’t thank you enough.”
“Words cannot express how impressed I am with Beethoven Pianos and how extremely grateful I am to you for so quickly responding to my SOS call for help. On Monday of this week, I called you in a panic because a moving company was unable to move a concert grand piano out of an apartment that needed to be cleared out. You immediately responded by sending someone from Beethoven over to the apartment that day to check out the piano and access route, scheduling the move for Tuesday, the next day. The move was accomplished successfully and although a very difficult one, Andrew, the mover, called very cheerful and very proud of his crew.
I think pianos should only be moved by piano movers and I highly recommend Beethoven Pianos to anyone even thinking of moving their piano.”
“Thank you so much for making my 16 year old daughter so welcome last week. She was really nervous about even walking through the door let alone playing a piano. But I told her you were a family run business and that I thought you would welcome anyone who loved pianos and music even if they weren’t looking to buy a piano that day.
Today (jet lagged) she went to music college. When I asked her about her day the first thing she said was “I told Nico (piano teacher and concert pianist) about Beethoven pianos and he wanted to know all about them”. You asked her what in New York made the greatest impression on her. I think I can safely say Beethoven pianos is high up on that list. Best wishes from a cold, wet but musically happy corner of England.”
“When our son’s piano teacher arranged for us to receive a piano from her composer friend, we were thrilled! Our sons love playing and while people suggested we get a keyboard, there’s nothing like the sound of an actual piano in the house. But our immediate thought was, “who is going to bring it up the five flights?” Yes, we live on a fifth floor walkup, and while the staircase is wide, it’s still five flights up! Our teacher suggested we call Beethoven Pianos to do the moving. Linda at Beethoven had us feeling comfortable from the start. The movers arrived at the pick up location on time and when they came to our apartment, they were professional, confident and courteous. They wrapped the piano in a special way and then three men began the process of bringing the piano up the stairs. It was like watching a choreographed dance – each one pulling, lifting and arranging the piano carefully and in complete synch. Did I mention it was summertime and HOT? When they arrived at the top of the stairs they were so friendly and told us stories of some of the other pianos they’ve moved – very impressive! I highly recommend Beethoven Piano to anyone considering a piano move. Thank you!!”
“My Baldwin grand piano was severely damaged in a major fire in my apartment. The intense heat had caused rubble falling from the ceiling to ruin the top of the case. Water from the firemen’s hoses had seriously discolored a large section of the wood. Internally, the problems were less severe, but I questioned whether the piano could ever be repaired.
Then along came Beethoven Pianos, contacted through a personal referral. Beethoven has done an excellent restoration. I am truly grateful. My Baldwin is once again the beautiful instrument I love. Thank you, Beethoven. ”
“Earlier this year I had my piano restored by Beethoven Pianos, and I wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience I have had working with you. I could not be happier with the results of the restoration. It looks absolutely beautiful, and the sound is perfect. The movers did an excellent job both moving the piano out and then back in. Everyone that I dealt with at Beethoven Pianos, including you and Judy, were always helpful and a pleasure to work with. I will certainly recommend Beethoven Pianos to my friends, or anyone else who needs any sort of moving or restoration for their instruments. Thank you again for all your assistance.”
“It was a pleasure doing business with you. Your staff was very cooperative and kind. I had a very good experience renting the piano from your company and will definitely recommend and do business with you again. Once again, thank you so much for your efforts.”
“Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent services of your piano moving personnel who came to our NY apartment today and moved the piano and other items to Devon, Penn. outside Philadelphia. They were good workers who went about their jobs purposefully and efficiently. They did good work here and also on the other end in Pennsylvania. Thank you for getting the job done well. Good service is always appreciated.”
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and the piano movers at Beethoven Pianos for once again doing such a professional job, moving two of my pianos. In this case, it was an 1890 Steinway A, and a 1907 Steinway O. There’s no way anyone is even touching, no less moving these instruments unless I’m absolutely certain that they are in good hands. I initially came to you many years ago because many fellow music professionals that I trust told me you were the best. Happily, they were right.
Bottom line: I know my pianos are in great hands when you pick them up and of course, as always, they arrived at their destination and perfect condition.
Please feel free to pass on this endorsement to anyone who’s considering using you to move their pianos. I never had a worry or doubt that mine were and will always be well taken care of by you and your staff.”