Steinway Model D-274

A Steinway Model D at Steinway Hall in London

Steinway and Sons's Model D-274 is the largest of Steinway's pianos, is the most favoured piano choice for concert pianists, past and present. The D-274 is used all over the planet in world famous recitals including the BBC Proms in London, England and the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing 2008.

Facts and Figures

Steinway Logo in a Model D-274

• At 274 cm x 156cm it is the largest of the Steinway Grand Pianos
• It weighs 480kg
• It has a recommended retail price of £98,590 for the Ebonised Satin finish and £99,950 for the Ebonised High Gloss finish
• It has three pedals:
  • Una Corda
  • Sostenuto
  • Sustain

Encasement

File:D-274 Green.jpg

A Special Edition of the Steinway Model D

Encasement specifications of the Steinway model D include the following:

• Furniture - Ebonised or Crown Jewel Collection veneer
• Panel - Stock Quarter-sawn poplar corewood crossbanded and face veneered
• Solids - Ebonised birch
• Legs - Ebonised birch, Walnut veneer over birch. Locking devices
• Finish - Heavy full-bodied black or clear lacquer; completely hand-rubbed
• Hardware - Solid brass; polished & lacquered

Construction

The basic principals of construction developed by Steinway are still unaltered for the manufacturer of upright and grand pianos. The strictest of guidelines are used to define the exclusive "Steinway system". "Only materials and components offering the best transmission and reproduction of sound are used in the manufacture of Steinway pianos".

Step by Step

A Steinway Model D-274 takes one year to build. This method has not been changed for the last 100 years. Firstly, the wood is sliced into planks and carfully selected by Steinway and Sons. The wood is the bent into shape and left to mould under high tension. This is called 'Rim Bending'. The name of the piano is stamped on and the piano is moved into the conditioning room and left for eight weeks.

After its time in the conditioning room, the piano is sanded and all differances in height are removed. The piano is then sprayed black and the logo is printed onto the side. The plate is then fitted and the soundboard is cut to shape and added. Strings are then connected.

The keyboard and hammers are put together and inserted into the piano and connected up. The piano is then rough tuned and then fine tuned. The lid is added and the piano is voiced. Any final touches are added.

The Steinway Model D-274 is now ready to be used.

Special Editions

Over the years, Steinway have produced a small number of special or limited edition of the Model D. These can range from ornatetely carved bodywork, to large changes in the colour scheme. This includes the €1.20 million or £1.04 million (as of 17:56 BST on the 25^th of July 2009) 'Sound of Harmony' which took four years to build and included 40 different woods and the lid was a replite of a piece of artwork produced by the chinese painter Shi Qi.

Vladimir Horowitz, one of the many Steinway Artists

Steinway Artists

• Vladimir Horowitz
• Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Vladimir Ashkenazy
• Krystian Zimerman
• Evgeny Kissin
• Lang Lang
• Yundi Li
• Pierre-Laurent Aimard
• Harry Connick, Jr
• Hélène Grimaud
• Alfred Brendel

Documentary film

Main article: Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037

"Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037" is an independent documentary film that follows the construction of a Steinway Model D-274 for more than a year, from the search for wood in Alaska to a display at Manhattan's Steinway Hall. The documentary film received its U.S. theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum in November, 2007.

In the documentary, the pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Kenny Barron, Bill Charlap, Harry Connick, Jr., Hélène Grimaud, Hank Jones, Lang Lang and Marcus Roberts, are seen testing and talking about Steinway pianos. The Steinway founder's great-grandson, Henry Z. Steinway, talks about the company's history.

Critics gave the documentary mostly positive reviews. As of February 15, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 93% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 14 reviews. The documentary has won 7 awards.

Music

• Steinway Artist Sergei Rachmaninoff playing Chopin's Waltz in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1, (Minute Waltz), performed on a Steinway Model D-274. (1923 recording).

External Links

• Steinway & Sons Official Website [1]