Cambridge Pianoforte was founded on a bank holiday in August 1975 by Simon Howe, a trained piano tuner who established Cambridge Piano Services from Carlisle Road with a clear vision: to provide first-class service to pianists throughout Cambridge.
By 1980, success led to a move to Kings Hedges Road, where the business began selling pianos alongside tuning services. In 1985, Cambridge Pianoforte became Kawai agents, a partnership that continues today, making them the longest-standing Kawai agent in the UK. Two years later, in 1987, they achieved the ultimate accolade by becoming Steinway and Sons service agents, now the longest-serving Steinway agents in the UK. Such is their expertise with Steinway that they’re affectionately known as the “Cambridge Steinway.”
The business continued to evolve, opening the Music Gallery in 1992 to sell sheet music and other instruments, whilst developing their workshop capabilities to offer comprehensive piano restoration services. That same year, Iain Kilpatrick joined the team, eventually becoming a partner alongside Simon and his wife Samantha in 2016.
Following the pandemic, Cambridge Pianoforte made a strategic decision to return to their roots, concentrating exclusively on what they know best, selling, tuning, servicing, maintaining, hiring, and refurbishing pianos. Though officially retired, Simon and Samantha remain active partners, using their decades of experience to guide the company’s future.
Today, Cambridge Pianoforte continues to uphold the same aims and objectives established nearly 50 years ago: providing exceptional service to both amateur and professional pianists.
Our Piano Brands
Meet The Team
Our team’s expertise is reflected in their exceptional qualifications. Our tuners possess the highest credentials in the field, including specialist training in Hamburg with Steinway and Sons themselves, the ultimate seal of approval in the piano world. This level of expertise enables us to serve Cambridge’s most prestigious concert venues and work alongside internationally renowned pianists.
We understand that owning a piano is a relationship, not just a transaction. Our team takes pride in providing patient, knowledgeable service, whether you’re choosing your first upright or investing in a concert grand. From the moment you visit our showroom to the careful delivery and expert tuning of your chosen instrument, our team is dedicated to ensuring your complete satisfaction.
With 50 years of combined experience, our team’s collective knowledge spans all types, models, and manufacturers of pianos. This depth of understanding allows us to offer unparalleled expertise in sales, restoration, tuning, and maintenance ensuring that every piano entrusted to our care receives the specialist attention it deserves.
