About

The profession – piano tuning and the knowledge in the field of restoration of pianos was passed on in the family by my father Shabtai Portugali.‏Shabtai was born in Palestine (Israel) were he enrolled in the British army and served in the Jewish Brigades Unit. As part of their services, he was active all over Europe in saving Jews who survived the concentration camps in the Second World War.‏By the end of War, he stayed in the Netherlands where his dream came true. He learned the intricacies of tuning and repairing pianos. He obtained and mastered during several years a widespread knowledge while working in "Rifen”, piano manufacturer based in the Netherlands.‏For six years he lived and worked in Europe, and before the proclamation of the State of Israel, he returned to Palestine, where he started working in piano tuning and repairing and became a pioneer of this profession in Israel. He worked with many great pianists, musicians and orchestras in Israel and all over the world.‏In 1977, I joined my father and together we expanded our expertise in the area of piano restoration. My brother, Ofer Portugali, joined the family business and in time became one of the most appreciated pianists and musicians in the Jazz world.‏Shabtai, the founder of the family business, deceased in 1991. ‏Ofer concentrated on being a performing musician while I continued working in piano tuning and restoration. Moreover, I have broadened my services by guiding, counseling and examining pianos before purchasing a piano.