The 13 worst things to happen to a classical musician

A compendium of horrible things that can only happen to classical musicians. Because sometimes, reeds break. Prepare yourself.

1. Well, that's the Five Bagatelles ruined.

Clarinetists of the world, we feel your pain. Nothing smarts like a busted reed on concert day. Any attempt to blow through this one is only going to end up with a split lip, animalistic squeaking and a weeping audience.

 

(The Jazz Clarinet )

 

2. So close.

Come on oboe, everyone's watching! Everyone's waiting! Purse those lips a little tighter, you'll get it in tune...

(Phantasy Psalteries )

 

3. That's fine, I didn't need my eardrums anyway.

That Wagner, he knew how to write a quiet, reflective passage, eh? This less-than-tranquil snapshot from the Ring Cycle suggests that if the brass section have to put their fingers in their ears then it's probably only measureable on the Richter scale.

 

4. Fiddlesticks.

The change in a violinist's facial expression as their faithful string pings back towards their chin is one of the scariest things that can happen in classical music. Hell hath no fury like a violinist with a broken E string.

(Violin Combustionality )

 

5. Oh that's nice, you've flattened a flat. Thanks a lot D flat minor.

Apparently Verdi was a fan of D flat minor. Both La Traviata and Rigoletto end in D flat minor, with its brain-melting array of confusing fingerings. Never liked him.

 

6. Just… why. Why would you do that.

Good thing those bars are empty, otherwise we'd have to count. Just give us a wave when we're supposed to come in, yeah?

(Myriad online )

 

7. OK, so, from the… err… top?

Ah, Brian Ferneyhough, scourge of musicians who value their sanity. His piece 'La Terre est un Homme' is, by the composer's own admission, close to unplayable for most musicians. Which is nice when you have to perform it.

(Brian Ferneyhough )

 

8. You mean I just play it again? And then again? And again? Until the piece is over?

Seriously, what did the cellist ever do to Pachelbel? If you're being charitable you could say Pachelbel is just providing a solid anchor for one of the most famous pieces of classical music ever. But if you're a cellist, then Pachelbel's picture is on your dartboard.

(Pianoguitar.com )

9. Midi? For Mozart? Really?

Ah, YouTube. Always on hand to give us the classics whenever we want. So, you're mid-trawl and you happen upon a great little clip to enjoy, and it turns out to be the computerised ramblings of a Midi version. Because nothing says 'masterpiece' like synthetic, beeping versions of the classics. Seriously, why do people even make these?

 

10. What are you actually doing? Sit down, page-turner guy!

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times - wait for the nod!

(Pianonoise.com )

 

11. Great news - you're spending the next 6 weeks being deafened in a cramped underground hole!

Pit orchestras - because who wants to see a musician anyway? It's a staple of the jobbing musician's life, but working in a pit orchestra for a theatrical run has its drawbacks, namely DVT and a humped back from ducking to get to your seat.

 

12. Get comfortable, brass players.

Ten years of intense, academic study, practising for six hours a day and lip-busting physical exertion in countless ensembles. For this.

 

13. Seriously, that's my conducting face? 

I thought I looked cool when I was on stage...

(Photo: Chris Christodolou)

 

From: Classic FM

See-Through Piano Lid Transforms Performances

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鋼琴割喉戰開打！中國低價策略重創歐洲百年老字號

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Pianos for People

From the late 18th century, when the piano began to supplant the harpsichord as the world’s chief keyboard instrument, it’s been a fixture in many places. People had a piano in the parlor; churches had one in the basement for choir practice, and every school auditorium had one. Pianos even graced the stages of silent movie theaters during the early 20th century.

In the 21st century, as electronic instruments become more popular as less expensive options than traditional pianos, wood-and-wire keyboards are finding their way into landfills and junk heaps. Non-profit organization Pianos for People doesn’t want these pianos uselessly deteriorating when others could benefit from them. Their mission is to restore and recondition these instruments to working order and then deliver them, free of charge, to needy and deserving families and groups.

There are many people who simply cannot afford a keyboard instrument of any type. While a suburban family might only need a simple spinet for their children’s piano lessons, a school might dream of a 9-foot grand for its stage. One of Pianos for People’s main sponsors, Jackson Pianos LLC, has many instruments in its shop. It has found, rebuilt and saved Steinways, Chickerings, Baldwins, Kimballs and many other brands.

The project’s genesis stemmed from an advertising executive, Tom Townsend, who lost his son in a tragic accident. Father and son had shared a love of music, and both played the piano. As a tribute to his late son, Townsend approached Joe Jackson of Jackson Pianos LLC and presented the idea of providing unused or discarded pianos to the needy. Jackson was instantly interested, and Pianos for People was born. They brought prominent St. Louis piano teacher Patricia Eastman on board, and, together, they bring music into people’s lives.

All three of them smile when remembering the happiness of the recipients, many of whom jump up and down with delight. Others are simply speechless, but they are all extremely grateful for the gift. Townsend remarked that lonely pianos sitting in out-of-the-way places yearned to be played. He shares the joy of music with each person to whom Pianos for People delivers a freshly reconditioned and well-tuned instrument.

From: Pianostreet

Leonardo da Vinci’s Viola Organista comes to life after 500 years!

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Pleyel Factory close down aftermaths

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郎朗：父親的“重壓”成就我的鋼琴夢

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“鋼琴王子” 李雲迪 的成長記

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玩具鋼琴家 是什麼人?

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上海樂器展 2013

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160 Facts About Steinway And The Pianos They Build

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 marks the 160th anniversary of Steinway & Sons, what better way to celebrate that with a little Listz list.  Below you will find 160 facts about the men, women, artists, and craftsman who have played a role in making Steinway the world's finest piano.


1)  In 1836 Heinrich Englehard Steinway built his first piano in the kitchen of his home in Seesen, Germany which is commonly reffered to as the “Kitchen” piano. The piano is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

2)  Heinrich would build 482 pianos over the next decade.

3)  Heinrich Engelhard Steinway and his family would emigrate to the United States in 1850.

4)  On March 5, 1853, Steinway & Sons was founded, setting up shop on Varrick Street on the West Side of Manhattan, manufacturing square grand pianos.

5)  In 1853, the family decided to Americanize their name to “Steinway”

6. In 1853, the family decided to Americanize their name to “Steinway” The company’s first piano, serial no. 483, was sold to a New York family named Griswold for $500. It is now displayed at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

7. By 1854, just a year after founding the company, Steinway & Sons was making 2 pianos a week, and sold 74 pianos for the year.

8. By 1856, Steinway & Sons sales rose to 208 pianos for the year, from 74 just 2 years before in 1854.

9. In 1857, a piano was created with a lavishly carved case and legs. This piano, Serial #1225, is believed to be the first ever Steinway Art Case piano.

10. On December 20, 1859, Patent #26532 was granted to Henry Steinway Jr. for the Overstung Plate, where by the longer bass strings were drawn over sections of other strings.

11. By 1859, Steinway's least expensive piano sold for $275.

12. In 1863, Henry Steinway became an American Citizen.

13. Steinway & Sons opened the first Steinway Hall on 14th Street in 1866, which had an auditorium of 2,000 seats.

14. 1867, William Steinway estimated that 90% of American Piano output was square pianos, 5% were uprights and 5% were grand pianos, he also characterized that grand sales were "scarce as angels' visits."

15. In 1867, Steinway became the first American manufacturer to receive the “Grand Gold Medal of Honor” at the Paris piano exhibition.

16.  In 1871, William purchased the Steinway Mansion. The Mansion overlooking Bowery Bay on Long Island Sound was owned by Benjamin T. Pike Jr. who owned an optical supply business. He sold the estate to William for $127,500.

17.  The Steinway Mansion was recently put up for sale for $3.5 million in 2011.

18.  In 1871 Henry Englehard Steinway, founder of Steinway & Sons, died at 74 years of age.

19.  In 1871, Steinway sold 2,553 pianos, and was making pianos at a rate of 1 piano per hour, or 10 pianos per day.

20.  William Steinway engaged the great Russian pianist Anton Rubinstein to play Steinway pianos during an American concert tour in 1872, with 215 concerts in 239 days. It was a triumph for both Rubinstein and Steinway.

21.  In 1875 Steinway Hall opened in London.

22.  1877 Oberlin College Conservatory, Oberlin, OH, becomes the first All-Steinway School.

23.  1881, William Steinway, Son of Henry, became a millionaire, one of 400 in New York.

24. 1881, Steinway manufactured more than 2,600 pianos.

25.  1883 Alma Tadema Piano Model D #54538, The piano was sent to London in 1884 for inlay and paintings by noted Victorian Artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema for Henry Marquand, Art Collector and 2nd President of the New York Metropolitian Museum of Art. Painting "Wandering Minstrels" above the keyboard. 9 Muses on the lid. Returned to NY City in 1887, then auctioned for $8,000 in 1903. Then moved to the Martin Beck Theater in Manhattan. On June 21, 2003, the Theater was renamed in honor of the caricaturist Al Hirschfeld Theatre famous for his drawings of Broadway celebrities. In 1980 the Alma Tadema was sold at an auction for $360,000. Piano was then on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

26.  1884, Model D, #51,257 was completed in New York City on January 31, 1894. It is the very first modern Steinway Concert Grand Piano. Its salient features were developed by C.F. Theodore Steinway.

27.  1888-Theodore Steinway enters into agreement with G. Daimler of Mercedes to manufacture parts for the American Mercedes Automobile and the engines as well as marine engines. This arrangement lasted at least until 1906.

28.  1888-The last time a Square Grand was advertised.

29. 1890-Steinway Hall on 14th Street Closed in anticipation of Carnegie Hall.

30. 1891-Carnegie Hall opens. The Carnegie Music Hall seated 3,000 with standing room for another 1,000, the old Steinway Hall seated only 2,500.

31. 1892-Paderewski signed on for a second tour for 60 concerts, which was a phenomenal success for Steinway & Sons as well.

32. 1892-December 23, Christmas season, “Biggest retail trade ever done, sold 30 old and new pianos in one day.” as per William.

33. 1897-Yale University School of Music, New Haven CT, becomes an All-Steinway School.

34. In 1900 the retail price of a Steinway Model D was $1,400

35. 1902 -The 100,000th Steinway Piano was built and it was built by the “Art Piano case Department” for President Theodore Roosevelt to go in the East Room of the White House. It was gilded with gold leaf, and on the lid a painting entitled “America Receiving the Nine Muses” depicting 10 women in pink, mauve, and gray centennial revival style ball gowns against a vivid green background. American Eagles carved on the legs, valued at $7,500 (a D sold for $1600) and was given to the nation in 1903. The piano was donated to the Smithsonian when a new Steinway replaced it during the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today the historic Gold Steinway stands in the First Ladies Hall of the National Museum of American History.

36. 1902-The model “O” designed by Henry Ziegler was introduced. This was the introduction of lower prices for smaller pianos some grand pianos were cut in price by as much as a third. Prices of upright pianos were also cut with the introduction of the “Vertegrand”.

37. 1904-model “K” was available for $500.

38. 1911-Steinway & Sons sold more than 6,000 pianos

39. 1912 – Model M, 5’6”, designed by Henry Ziegler was introduced, sold for $750 and 900 of these models were sold.

40. 1922 – Model L introduced, an idea of Henry Ziegler, Vice President, and Frederick Steinway. The Model L replaced the Model O and sold for $1,575.

41. 1923 - It was estimated that 56% of the 360,000 pianos produced in America were players.

42. 1924-The Julliard School, New York, NY becomes an All-Steinway School.

43. 1925-Steinway had 2,300 workers.

44. In 1925, Steinway Hall opened to its current location on West 57th Street.

45. 1928 - January 9, Horowitz arrived in America for a 30- concert tour. Performed with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall January 13-14-15. An ad to purchase a Steinway, “Instrument of the Immortals” with an endorsement by Horowitz.

46. 1928 - January, Horowitz and Rachmaninoff met in the basement of Steinway Hall. There they played Rachmaninoff’s third Concerto. This piece became Horowitz’s trademark.

47. 1929 - Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA became an All-Steinway School.

48. In 1930 the retail price for a Steinway Model D was $3,000.

49. From 1931 –1936 A small number of foremen, office workers, and hundreds of part-time piano makers ran the Steinway factory. The factory remained officially closed for 2 years during that period workers were brought back on an as needed basis.

50. 1932 Steinway & Sons sold 900 new pianos. 888 Grand pianos and 12 uprights. They were not in the mass produced spinet business.

51. 1936, Steinway model S was introduced, sold for $885.

52. 1936: Diaphragmatic Soundboard Design - 1936 Patent #2051663

The quality of tonal resonance is directly linked to the quality of the Soundboard. The soundboard is considered the soul of the piano. The Steinway Diaphragmatic Soundboard permits a free and even response throughout the scale. It is thicker in the center and tapered as it approaches the inner rim of the grand piano. This construction not only permits the tone to travel more freely but also displaces a greater amount of air, factors that create a richer and more lasting tone.

53. 1936: Accelerated Action - Patent #2031748 The touch of a Steinway is the most responsive and sensitive of any piano made. This is not opinion. It is a fact that results from the way the instrument is designed and manufactured. In fact, laboratory tests have proven that the keys on a Steinway piano can repeat 14% more quickly than the keys of any other piano. The same features that allow for the faster repeat also provides a much more sensitive, responsive keyboard, an aspect that can be appreciated even by beginning pianists.

54. 1938, Theodore Steinway presented to the American Nation with the 2nd Steinway Grand Piano, #300,000. To show gratitude to the American people, President Franklin Roosevelt accepted the instrument, "dedicating it to “the advance of music in every city, town, and hamlet in the country”.

55. 1941 – Steinway shipped 5,600 + pianos, 1,700 more than in the record-breaking year of 1926.

56. 1943-June, Roman de Majewski, Steinway’s wholesale manager secured an order for 405, Olive Green (drab) Victory Model Uprights. Another order for 800 more soon followed. The ODGI model was a 40 inch upright that sat flat on the floor with no legs, looking like a box with a shelf sticking out. 2000 Victory Models were sold complete with their own tuning kits and heavy duty shipping box.

57. 1950-July Yamaha visited Steinway & Sons and asked to carry the Steinway Pianos in their stores in Japan.

58. In 1950, the retail price of a Steinway Model D was $6,900

59. 1955-Henry Z. Steinway became the 5th President of Steinway & Sons at the age of 40.

60. 1956-Steinway along with the other American piano manufacturers all agreed to abandon ivory and start using plastic for keys.

61. 1958-Van Cliburn, from Kilgore, Texas, wins the Tchaikovsky piano competition playing on a Steinway.

62. 1964-Henry Steinway entertained some 800 friends at Steinway Hall to honor the tenth anniversary of Van Cliburn’s debut with the New York Philharmonic.

63. 1967, January 31, a press party was held at the factory to celebrate the latest factory addition of 2 additional floors adding 60,000 square feet, this done to increase manufacturing of grands by 20%.

64. In 1970, the retail price for a Steinway Model D was $8,275.

65. 1972-Steinway & Sons is sold to CBS Musical Instruments (Owned Fender, Rogers Organs, Electro Music and a string maker) for 500,000 shares of CBS stock, or 7.1 shares of CBS stock for 1 share of Steinway & Sons Stock. Henry would remain President.

66. 1982 – After a number of years with mixed results in using Teflon Bushings, Steinway & Sons switched production to a Teflon Impregnated felt for these bushings.

67. 1985 – CBS announces sale of Steinway & Sons to John and Robert Birmingham.

68. 1985-Bruce Stevens becomes 9th President of Steinway & Sons.

69. 1986-Frank Mazurco introduced the Steinway & Sons Partnership Program as a support tool covering all aspects of a Steinway Merchandising Dealership.

70. 1987 Steinway Piano number #500,000, custom case by Wendell Castle presented in a gala concert at Carnegie Hall on the second of June 1988, celebrating Steinway’s 135th anniversary. The piano is decorated with signatures of the living Steinway Artists, executed in exotic wood veneers.

71. 1988 June, The Steinway Foundation was formed at the time of the 135th anniversary of Steinway & Sons. A concert celebration was held at the Kennedy Center, three works for the celebration were debuted.

72. 1989, The Glass Case, located in Steinway Hall on West 57th Street, holding the Paris Exhibition award, along with several others, was smashed and the medals stolen, never to be recovered.

73. 1989, “Steinway” by Ronald V. Ratcliffe released depicting the history of Steinway & Sons including pictures of many of the historical and art case instruments produced by Steinway & Sons from their early beginnings.

74. In 1990, the retail price for a Steinway Model D was $53,400.

75. 1991-Steinway announces a mid-priced piano line called Boston.

76. October 1, 1992 New Oil Portrait of Vladimir Horowitz by John Mfyer was unveiled in Steinway Hall to celebrate the 89th Anniversary of the Great Pianist’s birth.

77. 1994 Opening of the Steinway Academy, the C. F. Theodore Steinway School for Concert Technicians, the first academy for concert technicians world-wide.

78. 1995-Steinway & Sons sold for $100,000,000 to the Selmer Company owned by Investment Bankers, Kyle Kirkland and Dana Messina.

79. 1995, “Steinway & Sons” by Dr. Richard Lieberman released. The first book based on the rich archive of Steinway business and family papers at LaGuardia Community College in New York, as well as on interviews with family members and company employees in the United States, Germany, and England, this authoritative and entertaining book tells the story of the most famous piano company in the world and of the family behind it.

80. 1996 - Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. goes public on August 2. 3.5 million shares are floated on the New York Stock Exchange at a share price of US$ 19. The Steinway share is quoted on Wall Street under the abbreviation “LVB“ (Ludwig van Beethoven).

81. 1996 The unveiling of the portrait of Steinway Artist, Arthur Rubinstein, by New York Artist Jacob Collins. The unveiling of this portrait took place in the rotunda of Steinway Hall by Bruce Stevens and the Rubinstein family.

82. 1996, Steinway & Sons was named “Company of the Year” by The Music Trades.

83. 1997 Foundation of a new subsidiary of Steinway & Sons on 1st March called Steinway & Sons Japan, Ltd. in Tokyo.

84. 1997, October, the book “88 Keys, The Making of a Steinway Piano,” released, written by Miles Chapin, a fifth generation descendant of Steinway’s founder, and son of Schuyler Chapin, Commissioner for the Department for Cultural Affairs for New York City.

85. 1998, Steinway’s Rhapsody, Limited edition series with only 24 to be produced, based on George Gershwin’s age when he wrote Rhapsody in Blue. Created to commemorate the birth of George Gershwin, appropriately named after the famous “Rhapsody in Blue," designed by internationally known Frank Pollaro. Features blue dyed maple veneer in high gloss clear lacquer with more than 400 hand cut mother of pearl stars. The traditional golden bronze plate has been replaced by gilded silver evoking the sophistication and style of the 1920’s. The music desk depicts a silhouette of the New York City’s skyline and the hardware is finished in a highly polished nickel-plate.

86. 1998, Kluge, Europe’s largest manufacturer of piano keys, with which Steinway & Sons had been doing business for over a century, was acquired by Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.

87. 1999, Steinway Musical Instruments purchased O.S. Kelly, the largest manufacturer of piano plates in the United States.

88. 1999 Steinway & Sons acquires Pianohaus Karl Lang of Munich, Germany’s largest piano dealer, opened Steinway Hall Munich.

89. 2000 - The introduction of the Crown Jewel Collection, special exotic finishes from around the world known for their special color and grain were made available for Steinway pianos.

90. 2000, John Lennon’s (of The Beatles) Steinway vertical piano sold for over $2 million dollars to pop star George Michael. This is the piano on which John composed the song “Imagine”.

91. 2000 Steinway Tricentennial, Limited Edition, Model A 6’2”, a joint effort between Hamburg and New York, celebrating the 300th anniversary of the piano, designed by Dakota Jackson. The “S” curve is featured in the lid prop to carry the continuous flowing line from the back of the piano case to the floor. The music desk is designed to hold open the music like a pair of hands and is designed to roll toward and away from the player. Other features include a cantilever effect on the lid with tapered legs. The rim is raised in the back and the real leg has been pulled forward and inward, again creating the cantilever effect.

92. 2000, January, Steinway & Sons announced the introduction of the William Steinway University, an in-house Management and Sales Training Educational Wing of Steinway & Sons Management to support and strengthen the sales and marketing of the Steinway Dealerships.

93. 2000 October, Steinway & Sons announces the introduction of the 3rd Piano line called the Essex, designed by Steinway & Sons.

94. On November 13, 2001, Steinway Hall was declared a New York City Landmark.

95. 2002, May “Henry The Steinway” written by Peter Goodrich VP of C&A of Steinway & Sons and Sally Coveleskie, Director of Institutional Sales released. A children’s book about an aspiring piano student named Ana and her piano named Henry.

96. 2002 Steinway Alma Tadema, Art Case, model D, recreated by Eric Schpo, In tribute to the magnificence of the original Alma-Tadema design built in 1883. The recreated Alma-Tadema sold for $675,000 to a museum in Tallahassee, Florida.

97. 2002, The portrait of Arthur Rubinstein, which at the time was the latest addition to the Steinway Art Collection, was moved to Room #9, on the second floor in Steinway Hall on West 57th Street, and renamed “The Arthur Rubinstein Room," the first Salesroom in Steinway Hall to be named after a Steinway Artist.

98. 2003, Historic 150th Anniversary Limited Edition, Art Case Paderewski Model Recreation, in honor of the 150th Anniversary, representing the rich colorful history of Steinway & Sons.

99. The S.L.ED by Karl Lagerfeld was created in 2003, and was one of two instruments to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Steinway & Sons.

100. 2004 Official opening of the subsidiary Steinway Piano (Shanghai) Co., Ltd on January 1. The new corporation with limited liability is situated in Shanghai and supplies the Chinese dealer network.

101. 2004, September, Roger Williams Limited Edition Golden Piano, debut on October 1, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta. The Celebration will also Roger Williams and former President Jimmy Carter celebrating both of their 80th Birthdays. The design is in the art-deco style prevalent when both men were born, the Roger Williams Limited Edition Gold Piano reflects architectural lines from that historic period, and features a gold-metallic finish accented by a high-gloss top coat.

102. 2004, Model D #51,257, the very first Model D Concert Grand piano completed on January 31, 1884, was purchased by Steinway & Sons and completely rebuilt or refurbished, re-registered as CD-001 and will remain in the Concert & Artists Inventory.

103. 2005, Re-Introduction of the Model A (A2) 6’2.

104. April 17, 2005, the 125th Anniversary of Hamburg Factory in Germany. Introduced the Limited Edition, 125th Anniversary Grand Piano Designed by Goertz.

105. 2006 After 52 years, Steinway-Haus Hamburg moves from the Colonnaden to Rondenbarg 15, and is now situated opposite to the Steinway factory in Hamburg.

106. In 2006, Steinway & Sons unveils the Henry Z. Steinway Limited Edition piano to commemorate the 91st birthday of Henry Z. Steinway and the enduring contribution of four generations of the Steinway family to the world of music. 91 Model O’s and 91 Model B’s built.

107. In 2006, the Steinway & Sons New York factory announced that the Model 'O' will return to production and will replace the Model L.

108. 2007 Crane University of New York becomes All-Steinway School with the purchase of 141 Steinway pianos, the largest all Steinway purchase in the history of Steinway & Sons at that time.

109. 2007 On 29th August, 2007 Steinway Musical Instruments Inc. announces the nomination of Thomas Kurrer as President of Steinway & Sons. Thomas Kurrer is the successor of Bruce Stevens, who retires after 22 years.

110. In 2008, Steinway & Sons unveiled the latest model in the Legendary Collection of Steinway pianos, the re-creation of the #100,000 White House model. The piano was sold to Mr. Devoe Moore of Tallahassee Florida. Mr. More now has possession of the entire collection of these 3 pianos. The Alma-Tadama, the Peace Piano and the recreation of the #100,000 White House model presented to Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, the original piano is now at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.

111. Until his death on September 18, 2008 at the age of 93, Henry Z. Steinway, the great-grandson of the Steinway founder, still worked for Steinway and put his signature on custom-made limited edition pianos. Henry Z. Steinway was the last family member to be the president of Steinway & Sons.

112. November 18, 2008 – CCM, the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (“UC”), purchased 165 New Steinway pianos, the largest unit purchase in Steinway’s 155-year history. (The price of the pianos is $4.1 million)

113. On November 1, 2009 Southern Adventist University becomes the 100th All-Steinway School.

114. Steinway & Sons launched the William E. Steinway Limited Edition piano on January 14, 2009, at the company’s annual convention in Newport Beach, California. This exquisite piano is a reproduction of the Steinway Centennial Piano, which was first introduced in 1876 at the nation’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

115. In 2009, Steinway & Sons introduced the Boston Performance Edition Piano.

116. Beginning in 2009, all Steinway D Concert Grands would be fitted with New York short legs and Hamburg large casters beginning with an Ebony Satin D #584808

117. In 2010, the retail price of a Steinway Model D was $123,800

118. On January 15, 2010 Steinway & Sons joins Twitter - @steinwayandsons

119. October 12, 2010 – Steinway & Sons today announced the launch of its new Steinway & Sons record label. The first release on this label, Bach On A Steinway, debuted last week at #3 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Album Chart.

120. November 1, 2010 – To commemorate the 70th birthday of a true creative genius—legendary musician and songwriter John Lennon—Steinway & Sons has introduced the Imagine Series Limited Edition piano. The Imagine Series Limited Edition is modeled after the white Steinway grand piano that John Lennon presented to Yoko Ono on her birthday in 1971, which is still at their famous Manhattan residence – the Dakota.

121. December 14, 2010 – Steinway & Sons announced the addition of the Central Conservatory of Music, School of Piano, located in Beijing, China, to its illustrious list of All-Steinway Schools. The world-renowned conservatory owns 127 Steinway grand pianos and 41 Boston grand pianos designed by Steinway & Sons.

122. On November 4th, 2010, Steinway & Sons unveiled something it had never built before – a full-featured digital Metronome App for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

123. September 15, 2011 – Steinway & Sons debuted version 2.0 of its breakthrough Etude app for learning, reading, and buying sheet music on the Apple® iPad®. This latest version of Etude adds a growing commercial sheet music store, new ways to display and read music, and a refined interface.

124. On November 11, 2010, to kick off this exclusive partnership, BMW presented the special limited-edition BMW Individual 7 Series Composition inspired by Steinway & Sons at the Steinway factory in Hamburg, Germany.

125. On December 12, 2011, Billy Joel becomes the only non-classical performer to be honored with a portrait at the prestigious Steinway Hall in New York.

BONUS FACTS

126. At the 58th Street side of the basement is the renowned Steinway “piano bank” where piano professionals come to select instruments they will use in concerts, in recordings, and on tour.  As one accomplished concert pianist put it, “There isn’t a first class piano player in the world who does not expect to visit the Steinway Hall concert basement before a New York performance.  It is a piano mecca – sort of the center of the piano universe.”

127. There are 12,116 individual parts that make up a Steinway grand piano.

128. The action for just 1 key is made up of over 57 individual parts (so for 88 keys that’s ~4,500 parts)

129. There are over 1,600 Steinway Artist worldwide - about 800 in the U.S.

130. Steinway Artists are not paid to play a Steinway nor do they receive a Free Steinway for personal use. Steinway Artists choose to perform on Steinway pianos.

131. “A 10 year old Steinway in good condition, usually sells for about 75 percent of the current retail price, which goes up about 4 percent each year.” Reuters, November 2003

132. The Steinway & Sons’ patented "Diaphragmatic Soundboard"—now found in every Steinway piano produced today—was first developed on the Model S.

133. The wood used to build Steinway pianos is dried and seasoned for approximately 2 years before ever being used to build a piano.

134. The Steinway Concert Grand Model D has the power and projection to be heard in a 2000-seat concert hall—without the aid of a microphone.

135. The soundboard of a Steinway Model K-52 upright has the same “speaking area” as that of a six-foot grand piano.

136. The first major artist brought to U.S. by Steinway & Sons was Anton Rubinstein, who toured the U.S. from 1872 to 1873.

137. To date, Steinway & Sons has been granted over 125 patents.

138. There are currently 135 All-Steinway Schools worldwide (as of March 5, 2012)

139. Since 1853 Steinway & Sons has pursued a single ideal: Make the finest pianos in the world as stated by Henry E. Steinway “Build the best piano possible, sell it for the lowest price consistent with quality.”

140. All Steinway grand piano rims are continuously bent in presses designed and built by Steinway. Together, the inner and outer rims form one united rim. After being glued the rims are removed from the presses, chalk-dated and stored upright in a conditioning room. Rims remain in the conditioning room between 10 and 16 weeks depending on thickness and size. The room temperature is set at 85 degrees Fahrenheit; the relative humidity is 45%.

141. The method of rim bending was invented by C.F. Theodore Steinway. It became U.S. Patent no. 229298 on June 22, 1880.

142. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio holds the longest partnership with Steinway. They have used Steinway pianos exclusively since 1877, just 24 years after Steinway was founded.

143. The Steinway Model D Concert Grand piano (8’11) weighs 990 lbs.

144. The Steinway Model S Baby grand piano (5’1) weighs 540 pounds.

145. Over 300 Craftspeople work in the New York Factory.

146. The NY Steinway factory is located on 11 acres of land

147. A piano restored by the Steinway Restoration Center receives the same 5-Year warranty as a new Steinway piano.

148. The New York Factory averages 4.3 grand pianos built per production day.

149. Around 1,000 grand pianos and 250 upright pianos are produced per year in the New York Factory.  The Hamburg Steinway Factory produces a similar number of instruments.

150. Over 90% of the pianos produced in the New York Factory are Ebony.

151. At last count (2010-11 concert season), 97% of concert soloists chose to play on a Steinway piano vs. all other brands combined.

152. The Steinway Concert “Piano Bank” has over 300 pianos in use Worldwide.

153. The Steinway Model K-52 upright weighs 600 pounds. That's more than the 5’1 Model S baby grand (540 pounds) and the Model M Medium Grand (560 pounds).

154. The world's most expensive Steinway grand piano is a Steinway art case piano built by Steinway's factory in Hamburg, Germany, in 2008 for €1.2 million. It took Steinway about four years to build the piano. The piano is named Sound of Harmony and is decorated with inlays of 40 different woods, including the lid which replicates artwork by Chinese painter Shi Qi. It was conceived and commissioned by Chinese art collector and music lover, Guo Qingxiang.

155. The cast iron plate is often called the “backbone” of the piano; and indeed, it must be in order to withstand over 20 tons of string tension.

156. Steinway does not sell their soundboards to anyone. Not even, their dealers can purchase a soundboard.

157. The Juilliard School possesses 260 Steinway pianos in practice rooms, teaching studios and performance halls.

158. Based on a 4% increase per year, the retail price of a Steinway Model D will be $183,200 in 2020.

159. In 2012 Steinway & Sons is introduce the debut collection by Lynx, the first ever Visual Artist in Residence at the Steinway Factory.

160. On March 5, 2014 Steinway & Sons will celebrate its 161st Anniversary.

連中國國內都缺少鋼琴調音師

Please Read:

http://www.tongtuning.com/wordpress/?p=232

沽神 37億 爭買鋼琴

「沽神」約翰保爾森做程咬金，競購百年鋼琴巨擘 Steinway Musical Instruments。有分析認為，這反映隨着富貴一族荷包腫脹，鋼琴製造商等奢侈品生產商成為投資機構的掘金目標。

Steinway 有160年歷史

Steinway 周一表示收到一份「優厚」的收購方案，但沒有披露收購者的來歷，僅表示對方為一間管理逾150億美元資產的投資公司，《華爾街日報》及《金融時報》則報道幕後買家是保爾森。報道指，該買家的出價為每股38美元或4.75億美元（約37億港元），較 Kohlberg& Co. 6月的出價每股高出3美元，按協議 Kohlberg 須於三日內提出新建議，消息刺激Steinway 股價周一扯上39.59美元，反映市場憧憬會有買家加價競購。

Steinway 上周四公佈季績時指，7月時接受 Kohlberg& Co. 的初步收購建議，但集團可在為期45日的「競購條款期」內，尋求或接受其他競購者出價。由於保爾森旗下的基金鮮有進行併購，沽神今次出手，反映奢侈品市場有利可圖。
Steinway 是一家有160年歷史的名牌鋼琴生產商，其產品亦包括其他樂器，其鋼琴的售價最高達21.8萬美元（約170萬港元）。

From:
Appledaily - 14 Aug 2013

Turns a Steinway Into Two?!

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http://www.tongtuning.com/wordpress/?p=226

香港的鋼琴用家其實十分的幸福~~

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http://www.tongtuning.com/wordpress/?p=182

加拿大醫院, 史坦威 (Steinway & Sons) 鋼琴不翼而飛

一台價值超過八十萬台幣的史坦威小型平台鋼琴，日期在光天化日之下直接被三名人士從多倫多總醫院（Toronto General Hospital）偷走。他們大約在中午時分出現，還準備好專用的搬運設備，當醫院人員詢問他們時，他們說是要把鋼琴帶去調音。醫院義工一直到四天後，才發現鋼琴已經不翼而飛。


負責醫院保全事務的米納（Todd Milne）接受加拿大《環球郵報》的訪問時說：「我從1999年掌管保全到現在，從來沒看過這麼大膽又瘋狂的偷竊行動。如果你對鋼琴一無所知的話，你不會知道其實是調音過來鋼琴這裡調音。」三名嫌犯都有被醫院的監視設備錄下，米納也全部辨認出來。


這台鋼琴是2006年年由善心人士捐贈給醫院的，加拿大歌劇院（Canadian Opera Company）的歌手每週到醫院義演時會使用。

From:
Muzic Online