If you've ever walk down 57th Street past Carnegie Hall in New York City, you've probably peered into the nearby Steinway showroom. If you haven't, you'd better hurry. It will soon be no more.
Sergei Rachmaninoff met Vladimir Horowitz at the Steinway showroom. Franz Liszt and Anton Rubinstein walked through the door.
When the world's top pianists are preparing to perform in the Big Apple, they descend into the building's famous basement to try out the many instruments Steinway houses there, looking for just the right one. Others, like Christopher O'Riley, go there to practice. It comes as no surprise, most likely, to walk into Steinway's New York headquarters, hear someone playing, and realize that's it's the artist whose recital you're attending that evening.
The demand for Steinway is not limited to the New York showroom.
While attending a music programmer conference some years ago, (not in New York), one of the artist reps contacted our organization asking if there was somewhere his artist could practice. The music store was a little unsure about it until the pianist began playing. It seems Lang Lang wanted six or seven hours of practice a day, which delighted both the stores management AND the patrons. While the new showroom will boast a concert hall and recording studio, they can never replace the feeling that you are surrounded by the spirits of the many great pianists who have walked those same doors. Below, you'll find a fascinating documentary on the Steinweg family and their most famous product...the Steinway piano. Read & Listen Steinway Bids Farewell to it's Historic Hall (NPR) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMT4rfjeJko