The present paper aims to present the research of the piano maker from Ljubljana, Andrej Bitenc alias Andreas Wittenz (1802−1874), who was known in the professional literature due to two pianos which have been preserved until the present...
moreThe present paper aims to present the research of the piano maker from Ljubljana, Andrej Bitenc alias Andreas Wittenz (1802−1874), who was known in the professional literature due to two pianos which have been preserved until the present day. However, not long ago, two other pianos made by Bitenc were discovered in the musical instrument collection of the National Museum of Slovenia. These four preserved pianos that were made by Bi-tenc give the most valuable evidence regarding his knowledge and skills since they are regarded as exceptional specimens based on their characteristics in comparison to the humble heritage of Slovene products. The pianos also give proof of Bitenc's activities and the quality of our native master from the middle of the 19 th century, who created the Slovenian heritage of musical instruments with his knowledge and skills. KEY WORDS Andreas Wittenz, Andrej Bitenc, piano maker, National museum of Ljubljana, Regional Museum Ptuj-Ormož INTRODUCTION In the 1830 th census of the city of Ljubljana, the profession stated next to »Andreas Wittenz« is that of an »In-strumentenmacher« and »befug(en)«, 1 which can be understood as licenced musical instrument maker. His pianos that have been preserved until the present day are some of the rare instruments made by Slovenian makers which were preserved.
