Steinway Pianos: The Legacy Behind the Iconic Instrument

Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder of K&M Music School

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Author: Katherine Dvoskin | Co-Founder of K&M Music School
Published November 9th, 2024

Steinway pianos have a famous legacy. They are known for their handcrafted quality, which means each piano is made with great care. Steinway pianos have a signature sound that many love. They also have a strong reputation among top musicians, making them a popular choice for elite performers.

Steinway & Sons pianos are known for their great quality and warm sound. For over 150 years, top classical pianists have chosen these pianos. What makes them special? This guide will look at what makes Steinway pianos special. We will explore their unique quality and signature sound. We will also see why many concert artists choose Steinway. You will learn about their handcrafted quality and a strong reputation among top musicians.

Legacy	Craftsmanship	Prestige
Founded in 1853	Handmade over 12 months	Chosen by 98% of concert pianists
150+ years of excellence	300+ skilled artisans	Signature warm, resonant tone
Innovative design patents	200+ wood types used	Customizable for musicians
Limited production (~5000/year)	Meticulous quality control	Preferred in famous concert halls
Steinway & Sons brand	Unique rim-bending technique	Over 1,700 Steinway Artists

A Brief History of Steinway & Sons

The story of Steinway pianos started in 1853. Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was a German immigrant. He opened Steinway & Sons in New York City. The first workshop was in lower Manhattan on Varick Street. As the business grew, Heinrich’s four sons joined him. Eventually, they renamed the company to Steinway & Sons.

By 1855, Steinway pianos were already receiving praise. They won gold medals at exhibitions. Just over ten years later, in 1867, the company earned 19 medals and awards, which showed its strong reputation for making great pianos. Today, Steinway & Sons is still based in New York City. It still uses many of the same handmade techniques that the founder created over a century ago.

Handcrafted to Perfection Over 12 Months

Steinway artisans carefully choose woods from over 200 types around the world. They select premium Sitka spruce for the soundboard. They also use bent maple for the piano’s rim. Each piece of wood is tested for its look and sound quality. This ensures the best acoustic properties for the piano.

Steinway pianos use high-quality materials. For example, they use premium spruce for the soundboard and fine maple for the piano rim. Each material is carefully chosen. More than 300 skilled craftspeople work on each piano. They inspect, build, tune, and voice every piano before it leaves the factory. This careful work makes Steinway pianos more reliable. They are better than pianos made in large factories with machines or cheap materials.

Step-by-Step Handcrafting Process

Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was a German immigrant. He opened Steinway & Sons in New York City.

Steinway artisans choose the best materials for their pianos. They use over 200 types of wood, felt, metal, and other parts. Each material is selected very carefully to meet high standards.
Craftspeople shape the rim of the piano by hand. They use special ovens and techniques passed down through generations. This method gives the right tension for the strings.
The keys and hammers are installed carefully. The Steinway keyboard has fine mahogany keys. These keys work with special double repetition action and precisely cut hammers. This setup ensures a smooth playing experience.
After the piano is built, a specialist tests it. They play each key to check if everything is consistent. Then, they do the final tuning to ensure it sounds perfect.
After the piano is built, a specialist tests it. They play each key to check if everything is consistent. Then, they do the final tuning to ensure it sounds perfect.

This shows how much expert craftsmanship goes into each Steinway piano. These skills have been passed down for many generations since 1853. This mix of hand-made traditions and special techniques makes Steinways unique.

Achieving the Steinway Signature Tone

So what gives Steinway pianos their rich, warm “singing” tone that pianists rave about? Several patented technical innovations contribute to the Steinway sound:

The diaphragmatic soundboard is made from high-quality spruce. This design helps the soundboard be flexible and amplify sound. As a result, notes have more resonance and can be sustained longer.
Duplex scaling makes the sound of Steinway pianos richer and more colorful. It lets extra strings vibrate when notes are played. This creates nice harmonic overtones that add to the music.
The tapered soundboard braces are placed diagonally. This helps the soundboard move more freely. As a result, the piano produces great sound in both bass and treble notes.
Each Steinway piano is crafted with great precision. This makes the sound very consistent. Every note played is clear and has a beautiful quality. This quality is better than what you find in other pianos.

The Steinway sound is special. Many pianists describe it as rich and colorful, like a voice. Steinway pianos have excellent sound. Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg was a German immigrant. He opened Steinway & Sons in New York City.

The unmistakable warm, resonant tone of a Steinway Model D concert grand piano

“No piano has a sound as beautiful as a Steinway. The tone is consistent from the bass notes to the treble. This lets you create amazing musical colors.” – Lang Lang, Steinway Artist.

Custom Built for Discerning Musicians

Steinway pianos are renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship and customization options. Musicians can choose from various sizes, including concert grands, baby grands, and uprights. Special models like the high-performance Spirio are also available.

Buyers can select special materials for their piano’s exterior, allowing musicians to design a custom Steinway tailored to their preferences.

With an annual production of about 5,000 handmade pianos, owning a Steinway is a privilege for serious pianists. Their rarity and quality make them a status symbol in the music world.

Unique Steinway Models

While most performing pianists prefer the Steinway Model D concert grand, Steinway offers several other models with unique designs and features:

Steinway Model B

Medium 6’10” grand piano ideal for chamber music and home use
Rich, warm tone at lower volumes perfect for softer playing
A more affordable option for advanced pianists

Steinway Model O

Compact 5’2″ baby grand piano with full sound
Fits smaller home spaces without compromising performance
Lower price point while retaining signature Steinway action & tone

Steinway Model L

5’10” medium grand piano
Excellent tonal range suitable for various performance settings
A popular choice for home use and smaller venues

Steinway Spirio

High-resolution player piano powered by proprietary software
Accurately reproduces performances of great pianists
The advanced self-playing system allows remote accompaniment

Steinway Crown Jewels

One-of-a-kind artisan pianos with hand-painted art scenes
Commissioned in collaboration with esteemed artists
Luxury concept that redefines Steinway’s design possibilities

Steinway offers a variety of piano models to help musicians find the right instrument for playing at home, in a studio, or on stage. While continuously improving their pianos, Steinway maintains high standards for quality craftsmanship.

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Unparalleled Attention to Detail

To understand the Steinway legacy, we need to examine how each piano is made by hand. This process involves many careful details, and each step is important to creating a high-quality instrument.

1. Crafted From Over 200 Types of Wood

Here are examples of specialty woods used in Steinway pianos:

Sitka Spruce – Soundboard
Maple – Bent Rim
Mahogany – Keys
Beech – Pinblock
Poplar – Keybed
Redwood – Bridges

2. Multi-Step Finishing Process

Steinway pianos have a special finishing process on the outside. They use multiple coats of special lacquer. After each coat, skilled polishers smooth the surface by hand. This creates a shiny, mirror-like finish. This finish protects the piano and makes it look beautiful for many years.

Meticulous hand-polishing of a Steinway grand piano

3. Hand-Bent Rim Construction

One special technique used in making Steinway pianos is the hand-bent rim. Skilled workers heat the maple wood with an open flame. Then, they carefully bend it into a perfect oval shape. This process takes a lot of practice and skill. The rim must be bent just right to handle the tension from the strings for many years.

4. Balanced Keyboard Action

Steinway pianos are known for their precise and smooth keyboard action. The keys are made from high-quality mahogany wood that controls moisture. This helps keep the keys balanced and spaced just right. Because of this, skilled pianists can play with great control. They can quickly repeat notes or play loud crescendos easily.

The hand-crafted quality of Steinway pianos makes them unique. Other piano makers cannot match the skill that Steinway artisans have. They have developed this skill over many years. This is why Steinway pianos are in a class of their own.

Why Over 98% of Concert Pianists Choose Steinway

Many famous concert halls use Steinway pianos. For example, Carnegie Hall in New York and Royal Albert Hall in London both have them.

There are many reasons why top musicians choose Steinway pianos. First, they have excellent sound quality. Second, they are made by hand, which means they are very reliable. Third, many famous concert halls use them. These factors make Steinway the favorite among professional pianists.

Steinway pianos are made by hand, which makes them very consistent. This means each piano feels and sounds similar. Pianists can trust this touch and tone, which helps them play better. Steinway pianos have a powerful, singing tone. Their sound fills the concert hall with warmth. Even in loud sections, the notes remain clear and colorful. This helps musicians play difficult pieces with ease.
Steinway keyboards respond quickly and easily. This means there is little resistance when playing. As a result, musicians can play fast notes, wide jumps, and loud sections with ease.
Performing on a Steinway piano is a sign of top quality for serious musicians. Its famous status in the music world is very important. This prestige makes Steinway pianos highly respected.

For any concert pianist, playing on a Steinway grand piano shows they have made it in their career. Steinway has been the top choice for classical musicians for over 150 years. This reputation for excellence makes Steinway pianos special.

Lang Lang performing on his Steinway Model D concert grand piano

Why Top Musicians Choose Steinway

Let’s listen to some famous Steinway Artists. They will share why they only perform on Steinway pianos.

“No other piano can reveal the true colors of any composition with such accuracy and richness. Their sound is truly magical.” – Diana Krall

“I cannot imagine my career without my Steinway piano. Whenever I play, I feel I can take infinite risks knowing the piano will respond beautifully.” – Billy Joel

“Steinways represent unwavering excellence and craftsmanship. Knowing your instrument is flawless allows you to play fearlessly as a musician.” – Harry Connick Jr

“The Steinway’s warm resonance inspires me emotionally when playing, especially delicate passages. The tone feels like an extension of my soul.” – Yundi Li

Top pianists all agree that Steinway is the best brand. They feel a strong connection to the music when they play Steinway pianos. This is why more than 1,700 Steinway Artists support the brand over all others.

The Legacy Continues…

Steinway & Sons is one of the most respected luxury brands in the world. They are known for their strong commitment to quality. For over 150 years, they have worked to make the best pianos. Their dedication to excellence drives them to keep improving and innovating.

Each hand-crafted Steinway piano takes almost a year to make. This makes them rare and known for great performance. This reputation will last for many years. For those lucky enough to own a Steinway, it is a valuable investment. It is also a beautifully designed instrument that sounds amazing.

Limited Production Protects Exclusivity

Most piano makers use modern methods to make pianos faster and cheaper. In contrast, Steinway focuses on traditional craftsmanship. This commitment to quality makes Steinway pianos special. They represent the best in old-world skills and techniques.

Steinway makes only about 5,000 pianos each year. This limited production is by design. It allows skilled artisans to build each piano by hand. They follow strict standards for quality. This careful approach ensures every Steinway piano is special.

Yamaha makes over 200,000 pianos each year. They use faster methods but focus less on detail. In contrast, Steinway produces fewer pianos. This makes Steinways more exclusive and protects their legacy. Because they are rare, Steinway pianos are more desirable. This also helps keep their resale value high.

About 98% of concert pianists pick Steinway pianos. This shows that Steinway is the best brand in music. Their focus on quality means old Steinway pianos still play better than new, cheaper ones. This dedication makes each Steinway piano a smart investment.

Conclusion

Steinway pianos embody a legacy of over 150 years of exceptional craftsmanship and musical excellence. Known for their handcrafted quality and signature warm, resonant tone, Steinway & Sons grand pianos are the preferred choice of over 98% of concert pianists worldwide. The meticulous attention to detail and innovative design make Steinway pianos a symbol of prestige and a wise investment for elite performers and discerning musicians alike. Whether it’s the iconic Steinway Model D or one of their unique limited edition models, owning a Steinway piano means embracing a tradition of unparalleled sound and artistry.

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Experience the unmatched quality of Steinway pianos today. Visit a Steinway piano showroom to hear the rich, powerful tones of our grand pianos firsthand. Choose from a variety of models, including the renowned Steinway Model D concert grand, and customize your Steinway to perfectly suit your musical needs. Invest in a Steinway piano and join the ranks of world-class concert pianists who trust Steinway & Sons for their most important performances. Contact Steinway & Sons to begin your journey with the ultimate piano instrument. Sign up for a free trial lesson.