About Susato

Susato (pronounced sue - sah - toe) is the brand name that we use for many of the instruments that we manufacture at our shop in Brasstown North Carolina.

The name comes from the Renaissance composer, publisher and musician Tielman Susato (1500-1562). He most likely came from the same area in Germany, (Soest in Westphalia) that much of the Kelischek family is from. In 1543 he founded the first music publishing house using movable music type in the Netherlands.  He could be found in Antwerp, 'At the Sign of the Crumhorn', which is one of our favorite instruments. He published chansons, Dutch songs and motets by illustrious composers of his time. His dance arrangements and chanson anthologies are still used widely.

Because he embodied entrepreneurship and passion for his art we named our product line and our music publishing operation (Susato Press) in his honour.

For more information on Tielman Susato see this Wikipedia Entry.