Muzaffar Shah knew instantly that he had to own the piano when he saw it listed for auction. Though he was abroad and had never seen the instrument in person, he made sure to be on the phone to place his bid. When he finally secured his dream piano—Alfred Cortot’s Pleyel—he was, in his own words, “ecstatic.”
For Shah, this acquisition marked another chapter in a lifelong fascination that began at 27 when he visited a Wimbledon home to inspect a Pleyel for sale. “I had just bought a flat, and it was large enough for a grand piano—if,” he pauses, “the piano took precedence over other furniture.”
Shah was well aware that Pleyel was the preferred piano brand of Frédéric Chopin. The composer once described Pleyel pianos as “the last word in perfection,” admiring their “slightly veiled sonority.” So devoted was Chopin to Pleyel that he took one along when he and his lover, the novelist George Sand, traveled to Mallorca. However, as their relationship deteriorated, Sand reportedly sent one of his beloved Pleyels back to Paris.
Today, a replica of Chopin’s hand is a striking feature in the showroom of Grand Passion Pianos, the UK’s only business specializing exclusively in grand pianos. Shah, a former City lawyer, established the company in 2022, focusing on Steinways and Pleyels. While Steinway remains the preferred choice of most concert pianists, Shah was captivated by the uniquely rich yet subtle tone of the Pleyel he encountered in Wimbledon. “In my view, it is the most expressive of all piano brands,” he asserts.
Three years after opening his first showroom on Newman Street, Shah has built a loyal clientele through his expertise and persuasion. Prices start at approximately £24,000, with the most expensive model—a stunning design by Art Deco maestro Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann—valued at £120,000. Though Shah is an accomplished pianist himself, he welcomes buyers who appreciate Pleyels for their aesthetic appeal. In 2023, one of his postmodern Pleyels found a home in Mayfair’s most expensive residence sold that year. Yet, as he recounts the golden era of Pleyel pianos from the 1890s to the 1930s—when they were favored by Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Stravinsky—it is evident that his true passion lies in the intricate mechanics and unparalleled sound of these instruments.
Shah’s own Pleyel, a 1921 model, was a particularly significant acquisition, not only for its craftsmanship but also because it once belonged to Alfred Cortot. The Swiss pianist remains an icon, revered by musicians such as Angela Hewitt, András Schiff, and Alfred Brendel, who lauded him as “the one pianist who equally satisfies my mind, my senses, and my emotions.” Despite later controversy surrounding his involvement with the Vichy regime—though some argue he used his influence to protect Jewish musicians—Cortot was once celebrated as the foremost interpreter of Chopin’s works.
When Shah acquired the Cortot Pleyel, it was in less than ideal condition. “I quickly realized that it had been poorly restored by someone unfamiliar with Pleyel’s craftsmanship,” he recalls. This mattered immensely, as Shah insists that each piano possesses unique characteristics and requires specialized care.
To truly understand Pleyel’s essence, one must go back to 1807, when Austrian pianist and ardent Francophile Ignaz Pleyel founded the company in Paris. His son, Camille Pleyel—a close friend of Chopin—expanded the brand into a pioneering force in the piano industry, introducing the first instruments with metal frames. By the early 20th century, Pleyel had garnered a devoted following, including Russian composers like Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov. However, the 1929 financial crash dealt a severe blow to the company, which struggled on in a diminished capacity until its closure in 2013. Fortunately, in 2017, the father-son duo Gérard and Benjamin Garnier of the Algam Group revived the brand, exporting Pleyels once again to destinations such as Venice and Shanghai.
To restore the Cortot piano, Shah collaborated closely with the Pleyel headquarters in Nantes, France. Specialists worked meticulously for over a year, correcting issues ranging from incorrect string placement to improper soundboard repairs. Their efforts successfully reversed the damage, bringing the piano back to its former glory.
When asked if he would sell the Cortot Pleyel, Shah’s response is firm: “It is not currently for sale.” However, he adds, “If I ever part with it, I would want it placed in an institution where the public could experience its sound in performances.” Meanwhile, he allows select pianists to play the instrument in his store while he continues his pursuit of rare Pleyel pianos—a passion deeply tied to preserving a unique chapter of classical music history. After all, as Shah emphasizes, these pianos provide “a direct link to Chopin.”
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