Steinway pianos are the first name in modern pianos with classical style. Read here about the birth of a legend, its followers and the collection.
Steinway and Sons was founded in Manhattan circa 1853. The company is named after Henry Steinway and his sons Albert, Charles, Henry Jr., Theodore and William who all worked with their father. A German immigrant Henry Sr. was a master cabinet maker.
The first notable awards for the brand came in 1855 from American and European exhibitions. This was quickly topped in 1867 when the company won the “Grand Gold Medal of Honor” at the Paris exhibition.
The first factory was established in 1866 in New York on 14th Street. These days, the piano base of operations is in Queens New York. The company also has a factory in Hamburg, Germany called Steinway-Haus.
Steinway Loyalty
From the very beginning Steinway pianos was synonymous with quality. Their 483rd piano was sold for 500 dollars to a New York family. This same piano now graces the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and is considered priceless.
Their have been many legends who have tickled the ivories of a Steinway. Among the notables are Franz Liszt, Sergei Prokofiev, and George Gershwin.
Steinway pianos have such a following that there are exclusive Steinway Artists, such as Bruce Hornsby, Billy Joel and Diana Krall. In fact, according to the company website, almost 98% of all piano soloists prefer the brand for its superior quality and sound.
Your Choices of Steinway Pianos
Like most companies, Steinway offers several different piano model choices. Their products are split up into different lines based on the features and quality that you are looking for.
The Steinway Legendary collection honors the history of their pianos with authentic reproductions of the Alma-Tadema model. The piano is a replica of one of their original art case pianos which was produced in the late 1880s. An original Alma-Tadema sits in the Smithsonian Institution as well as other cultural centers worldwide.
The Art Case Collection consists of pianos that rest in exquisite cases, just like the classic Alma-Tadema. This collection showcases a range of artistic styles, from the sleek and sophisticated Grove Park to the showy Summertime, full of colorful flowers, a flowing water fall and green grass blade legs.
The Satin piano, also part of this collection, was designed to honor Steinway artist Duke Ellington. The Steuben piano’s bold crystal elements and strong design marked the 150th anniversary of Steinway and the 100th anniversary of Steuben crystal.
The Limited Edition Collection contains six distinct pianos with rich histories. For example, the Henry Z. Steinway limited edition piano honors the last member of the Steinway family to run the business.
Henry Z. Steinway was the great grandson of the founder, and took over the company in 1955 from his father. He helped mold the company into the powerhouse that it is today. These limited edition pianos are each personally signed by Steinway himself and available in two choices of woods.
The Crown Jewel collection features handcrafted pianos made with exotic woods. The Louis XV Grand piano, for example, features the stylistic elements of the Rococo period. You can choose to have this piano in natural rosewood or white with gilded flourishes.
The Ebony Grands and Verticals collection includes some of the most popular Steinway models. The New York ebonized pianos are hand processed with satin finishes The collection features the Concert Grand – Model D. The Model D is the number one choice for many concert artists and educational facilities as well.
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