Pleyel was founded in 1807 by Ignaz Pleyel, a composer and music publisher who studied with Franz Joseph Haydn. The company became a leader in acoustic innovation, making instruments for music greats such as Frederic Chopin, who only played Pleyel pianos in France.

Manufactured around 1865 by the French company Erard, the grand piano was owned by Liszt during the last 15 years of his life and was used by him primarily for composing and teaching.