Founder of the family factory “Hutzelmann” in Eisenberg, East Germany. The factory was one of few piano factories in East Germany to survive the second world war. Willy Kurt Hutzelmann secured the wages of twenty employees as well as putting bread on the table during the difficult times of the great depression. Born on 14th March 1905 FG Kurt Stolze married Willy Kurt Hutzelmann’s daughter, Margret Johanna and had 3 children. Kurt also worked in the Hutzelmann factory as well as the Grotrian Steinweg factory. Kurt immigrated to South Africa in 1953 with his wife and 3 children on the Sterling Castle Line Ship and imported the first Cembalo in 1965 (Left Germany 1964 but arrived in SA 1965). He established a piano shop in White River, South Africa in 1959. FG Kurt Stolze was the grandfather of Werner Stolze. Earliest known photo of Willy Kurt Hutzelmann Great Grandfather of Werner Wilfried Stolze First Known photograph of Kurt Stolze This Photo was taken at the 10-year reunion of the Hutzelmann factory. First known photo but not on the date of birth Family Portrait of the Stolze Family: from left to right Margret Johanna (mother), Kurt Wilfried (son), Margot (daughter) & Kurt Stolze (father) – 3 siblings not born yet. Immigrated to South Africa with his Father Kurt Stolze, Mother Johanna, Brother Hartmut & Sister Margot. Flight taken on Trek Airways to go and study the trade in Piano Building under his Grand Father Willy Kurt Hutzelmann. Wilfried Kurt Stolze left South Africa in 1957 to study in Eisenberg, East Germany. He received his degree in 1960. Wilfried escaped the Berlin Wall construction in 1961 and worked at Bothners factory in Johannesburg between 1961 and 1962 (the factory was known to build the Otto Bach & Knight). He opened a shop in 1962. Received a letter of thanks from the office of President FW De Klerk in 1989. Wilfried Kurt Stolze is Werner Wilfried Stolze’ father. “The Knowledge that I have of Pianos and the history of all different factories and where they were built will, unfortunately, be lost to the new generation, there are a handful of Piano Builders (not tuners) left in SA, Luckily my younger son Werner Stolze is fully trained.”OUR HISTORY
Willy Kurt Hutzelmann (Born)
Franz Gotwἂrd Kurt Stolze (Born)
Willy Kurt Hutzelmann (30)
Kurt Stolze
10 years
Wilfried Kurt Stolze (Born)
The Stolze Family
To South Africa
Flight Ticket
