A Music Legend and a Czech Masterpiece

Global pop star Taylor Swift, who has 281 million Instagram followers, recently shared a behind-the-scenes studio photo showing herself playing a Petrof piano made in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.

The picture was posted on October 5 as part of the promotion for her new album, Life of a Showgirl (Deluxe: Alone in My Tower Acoustic Version), which has already broken several sales records worldwide.

A Piano with History

The piano in Swift’s photo is a rare antique, built around 1900, and personally supervised by Antonín Petrof, the founder of the Petrof Piano Company.

Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová, the current company president and a fifth-generation family member, celebrated the moment on LinkedIn.
She wrote that it was “a beautiful reminder that honest craftsmanship, passion, and soul can transcend time and continents.”

Taylor’s Creative Reflection

In her post, Swift described how meaningful the recording process was:

“Being in the studio and creating these songs was an unforgettable experience… I can look back on how we wrote them and remember the real moments when musical ideas came to life.”

About Petrof

Founded in 1864, Petrof is Europe’s largest acoustic piano manufacturer.
Antonín Petrof learned piano-making in Vienna before returning home to start his own workshop in Hradec Králové.

Over time, the company became a leader in innovation—introducing electric lighting in factories and cast-iron frames—and by the 1920s, Petrof was exporting pianos to Japan, China, Australia, South America, and even opened a London office in 1928.

Despite challenges such as wars, Communist-era nationalization, and economic crises, the company returned to family ownership in 2001. Today, it produces around 1,200 pianos each year, most of which are handmade using fine woods like spruce, beech, and maple.

Famous Petrof Players

Petrof pianos have been played by world-famous musicians including:

• Gustav Mahler

• Paul McCartney

• Ray Charles

• Billie Eilish

They can also be found in major venues like Prague’s Rudolfinum, La Scala in Milan, and the Sydney Opera House.

Czech Pride

Czechs are proud to see their country’s craftsmanship reach global recognition through Taylor Swift.
Petrofová added, “After more than 120 years, one of the world’s biggest stars is playing our instrument. I am extremely proud of it.”

Record-Breaking Album

According to Rolling Stone, The Life of a Showgirl, released on October 3, 2025, sold 3.5 million equivalent album units in its first week, beating Adele’s 2015 record and reaching number one in 21 countries.
It is now the fastest-selling album in U.S. history.