Testimonial
"Reflecting on the remarkable journey of piano evolution, it's astounding to see how far we've come since Bartolomeo Cristofori's groundbreaking invention of the piano forte action in the early 1700s. This innovation set the stage for a series of transformative changes, notably by Sebastian Érard and his family, who, between 1808 and 1851, masterfully developed the modern grand piano action. Their introduction of concepts like the synchronized double escapement was nothing short of revolutionary. Fast forward to 2021, and we witness the birth of the Esmonde White Action. Oliver Esmonde-White, standing on the shoulders of giants like Darrell Fandrich, who skillfully applied Érard's complex principles to upright pianos, introduced new design concepts. These advancements have not only enhanced the art of piano manufacturing but have significantly simplified maintenance, marking a new era in the piano's storied history. Each of these milestones reflects a deep commitment to musical excellence, forever changing how we experience this magnificent instrument."
Dr Nicholas Yii Wye Teh
Director
Philosophy of Scientific Thought initiative
University of Notre Dame
Associate Professor
Department of Philosophy
Program of History and Philosophy of Science
University of Notre Dame du Lac
South Bend, IN

At a time when it is crucial to celebrate our local businesses, I want to take a moment to thank Oliver at @pianoesmondewhite and his team who provided me with beautiful pianos throughout the Néo-romance tour. At Wilfrid-Pelletier, on the Plains of Abraham, and, in the case of the upright piano, in more than fifty venues in Quebec this year. Oliver is one of the brightest piano-makers I know (his action mechanism is, by the way, revolutionary), but also one of the most unique people I’ve had the chance to meet. He works with his wife and a small team of geniuses directly from Mile-End. In short, a wonderful business that deserves to be known. Thank you for everything Oliver! Hope to see you soon ❤️
Alexandra Stréliski
Elisabeth St-Gelais et Jeremy Dutcher interprètent Si vous n'avez rien à me dire et Skicinuwihkuk (In French)
Experience the magic as Elisabeth St-Gelais and Jeremy Dutcher breathe new life into Si vous n'avez rien à me dire and Skicinuwihkuk on the Esmonde White Piano. Recorded at Esmonde White Studio, this performance reveals the piano's unmatched action and voice. Listen and discover its extraordinary sound.


Trusted by Mélane & Michel Desjardins — the piano behind Les créateurs d’émotions.
Trusted by artists who live to move audiences, the Esmonde White piano is the instrument of choice for Mélane and Michel Desjardins in Les créateurs d’émotions. Its exceptional touch and expressive depth deliver the precision, power, and emotion their performances demand—night after night.
More testimonials

Oliver Jones
Oliver Theophilus Jones, OC, CQ, pianist, organist, composer, arranger (born 11 September 1934 in Montreal, QC). A musical prodigy, Oliver Jones is one of the best-known and most talented Canadian jazz pianists of all time. He studied piano in his youth with Daisy Peterson Sweeney, sister of Oscar Peterson, and spent much of his career working in pop and variety settings. Jones drew critical notice for his technical dexterity and rollicking swing, often eliciting comparisons to Peterson. He received Félix Awards in 1989, 1994, 2007 and 2008, and Juno Awards in 1986 and 2009. An Officer of the Order of Canada and a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2023.

Grégory Charles
On June 30, 2016, Charles was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General David Johnston for "his infectious energy, creativity and dedication to ensuring that the performing arts and culture thrive in Canada and abroad.

Marc-André Hamelin
In 1985 Hamelin won the Carnegie Hall International Competition for American Music. In 2004 Hamelin received the international record award in Cannes. He has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec (National Order of Québec). He has won seven Juno Awards, the most recent one in 2012 for Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble for his Liszt Piano Sonata album.

Lukas Geniusas
Born in Moscow in 1990, Lukas Geniušas graduated from the Chopin Music College Moscow, in 2008. He is the laureate of several prestigious international competitions, notably Silver Medalist at the 2015 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and at the 2010 International Chopin competition.

Serhiy Salov
A superlative concert performer, Serhiy Salov has collaborated with renowned conductors and numerous orchestras around the world. He is regularly featured at the foremost international music festivals and has been awarded many prizes in competitions worldwide.

Charles Richard-Hamelin
Charles Richard-Hamelin a reçu, en 2015, la Médaille d’argent au Concours international de piano Frédéric-Chopin à Varsovie et le prix Krystian Zimerman pour la meilleure interprétation d’une sonate.
