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The Rohlfing piano house mourns Wilfried Tammen – a legacy is lost
Wilfried Tammen, long-time managing director of the Rohlfing piano house in Osnabrück, has died. A look back at his life's work.
The Rohlfing piano house mourns Wilfried Tammen – a legacy is lost
It is with great regret that we have to announce the loss of a true friend of music and craftsmanship: Wilfried Tammen, who took over the traditional Rohlfing piano house in Osnabrück in 2003 and ran it until 2020, died on January 17, 2026. The piano house itself has a long history; it is the oldest of its kind in Germany and was founded in 1790. Although Tammen was not active as a concert pianist, he was an excellent piano maker and had a deep understanding of the instruments he sold and repaired, as [NOZ] reports.
Under his leadership, Rohlfing relied on special expertise. The managing director and trained piano maker ensured that all sales employees had extensive knowledge of piano making. This was an important aspect to stand out from competitors. One hundred percent advice was the be-all and end-all. His passion and personal commitment thrilled customers and ensured that many piano lovers returned regularly to try out the instruments on site.
The challenges of the pandemic
Like many businesses, Rohlfing faced the challenge of some customers retreating online during the pandemic. But despite the setbacks, Tammen managed to win back his customers with personal advice and the special experience of trying things out. Customers appreciated the added value that only personal contact and the immediate hearing and feeling of a piano can offer, as [Typisch Osnabrück] notes.
Max-Ole Tammen, Wilfried's son, also plays the piano at the Rohlfing headquarters. It is a lively family business that aims to not only maintain musicality and craftsmanship, but also to actively pass it on. This family tradition has its roots deep in music history and is a sign of the constant development in piano construction and sales.
Rohlfing in the history of piano making
Piano building has a long tradition that goes back to the 18th century, when numerous instrument makers refined the sound of the first pianos. The Rohlfing house history is part of this rich heritage. The creation of pianos and grand pianos has always been a creative process that has evolved over centuries. As noted in the Chronicle of Piano Making, this meant not only mechanical perfection, but also the creation of an instrument that conveyed feelings and stories, as [Pianos] emphasizes.
With the loss of Wilfried Tammen, the world of pianos and in particular the Rohlfing piano house has lost an important personality. His legacy lives on, not only through the instruments themselves, but also through the many musicians and piano lovers he inspired.