Around Queens: The Craftsmanship of Steinway Piano

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Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway in a Manhattan loft on Varick Street. Over the next thirty years, Henry and his sons developed the modern piano. They built their instruments one at a time, applying skills that have been handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation, ever since. The Steinway became the choice for approximately ninety-seven percent of concertizing artists, none of whom are compensated to endorse the instrument. The Steinway earned a reputation as an investment for the owner in the legacy of future generations.

The very first Steinway & Sons patent was granted in 1857, and since that time the company has been granted more than 150 additional patents, positioning the Steinway as the piano by which all others are judged. Our latest innovation, the Steinway & Sons Spirio, is the world’s finest high resolution player piano. A masterpiece of craftsmanship, technology and artistry, Spirio provides an unrivaled musical experience, indistinguishable from a live performance.

Steinway & Sons, a German-American piano company, was founded in 1853 by Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later known as Henry E. Steinway) in New York City, with the goal of creating the best possible piano. 

 

Here's a more detailed look at the history:

  • Founding:
  • In 1850, Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, a German piano builder, immigrated to the United States with his family, and in 1853 he founded Steinway & Sons, establishing their shop on Varick Street in Manhattan. 
  • Early Innovations:
  • Steinway and his sons made significant contributions to the piano's development, including patented innovations like the overstrung scale and improved cast-iron frame. 
  • Expansion and Recognition:
  • In the 1860s, Steinway & Sons built a large factory and opened Steinway Hall, a premier concert venue in New York City. The company gained international recognition, winning prizes and accolades at world exhibitions. 
  • Factories:
  • The company expanded to multiple locations, including a factory in Hamburg, Germany, in 1880, with the New York factory supplying the Americas and the Hamburg factory supplying the rest of the world. 
  • Steinway Hall:
  • Steinway Hall became a prominent concert hall in New York, hosting major performances and influencing the music landscape. 
  • Legacy:
  • Steinway pianos became known for their exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and distinctive sound, earning the instruments a reputation as "the gold standard" by musicians and concertgoers worldwide. 
  • Global Influence:
  • Today, Steinway pianos are hand-built in New York City and Hamburg, and the company's legacy continues through renowned artists who perform on these instruments. 
  • Titanic Pianos:
  • Five Steinway pianos were installed on the Titanic, four of which were "rough" and became art cases once shipped to London.