A symbol of musical excellence for over 170 years, Steinway & Sons goes beyond the simple status of musical instrument manufacturer to embody a true lifestyleBetween artisanal heritage, cultural aura and contemporary influence, immerse yourself in the world of a house where each piano is a work of art.
The origins of a myth
It all began in 1853 in New York. Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, a German immigrant who became Henry E. Steinway, founded a small piano factory in Manhattan with his sons. Their ambition was clear: to make the best instruments in the world. The formula immediately appealed to 19th-century virtuoso pianists, who found these pianos to have unparalleled sonic power and harmonic richness. The name quickly became a household name. Steinway & Sons establishes itself as a seal of excellence, worn both in elegant salons and on major international stages.
The art of gesture and detail
What sets Steinway apart is not only the prestige of its name, but the extreme attention to detail that goes into each instrument. More than 12,000 parts go into a Steinway piano, assembled by hand in the historic workshops of New York and Hamburg. Each plank of wood is selected, curved, and left to mature, sometimes for several years before being worked. Varnish is applied layer upon layer, polished to a deep shine that catches the light like precious lacquer.
A Steinway isn't an object produced on a mass production line: it's a unique piece, crafted by the expertise of artisans who combine centuries-old traditions with technological innovations. This rare blend explains why these instruments span generations and remain, for many, family heirlooms.
The piano of virtuosos
"A Steinway or nothing," is a common saying in the music world. More than 90% of concert pianists choose to play on a Steinway, including legends such as Serge Rachmaninov, Vladimir Horowitz, Martha Argerich ou Lang LangThe house also launched, in the 19th century, the Steinway Artists Program, a network that today brings together several thousand musicians worldwide. Being a “Steinway Artist” is not just a signature: it is a recognition, a membership in a prestigious community.
But Steinway doesn't just belong in grand concert halls. Its pianos also grace New York apartments, luxury hotels, yachts, and European country houses, where they become both instruments and centerpieces.
Lang Lang – Reverie – Debussy
Iconic pianos
Among the creations of Steinway & Sons, some models have become true icons. The most prestigious remains without a doubt the D model, the “Concert Grand”, 2,74 meters long. It is the one found on the greatest stages in the world, chosen by almost all concert pianists. Its power, its projection and its sonic depth make it a legendary instrument, designed to fill halls without ever losing clarity or subtlety. Playing on a Model D is like driving a classic car: everything is grandiose, precise, demanding.
A notch below in size but just as legendary, the Model B is considered by many to be the "perfect piano." At 2,11 meters, it combines the rich sound of a grand piano with a versatility that makes it ideal for chamber music halls, conservatories, and recording studios. It is also the model of choice for many passionate amateurs who want to have a Steinway at home without going all the way to a concert piano.
For more intimate interiors, Steinway offers the Model O and Model L, with more compact dimensions, around 1,80 meters. These pianos retain all the sonic soul of the house while integrating more easily into a living room or a library. They seduce with their warmth, their roundness and their balance. The Model S, created in 1935, embodies elegance in miniature format: at 1,55 meters, it is the smallest of the Steinway grand pianos. Designed for apartments and urban spaces, it allows music lovers to enjoy the Steinway world even in a confined space.
In the digital age, Steinway has also been able to innovate with the Spirio, a hybrid piano that combines traditional action with cutting-edge technology. Thanks to a sophisticated system, it can reproduce the performances of legendary pianists with perfect fidelity, giving the impression of attending a private concert in your own living room.
Finally, the house cultivates its aura lifestyle through special editions and limited series. The Crown Jewel Collection, with its precious wood finishes such as rosewood or mahogany, and the Designer Editions Created in collaboration with contemporary artists and designers, these pianos transform into a true piece of design. More than just an instrument, each Steinway becomes a work of art in its own right, where music meets aesthetics.
A lifestyle in its own right
Owning a Steinway is like entering a world. It's not just buying a piano, it's adopting a certain lifestyle where music, culture and elegance meet. Legendary models like the Model D (Concert Grand) or Model B are a favorite among professionals, but Steinway has also developed limited editions and artistic collaborations. Fine wood finishes, refined inlays, and even editions decorated by contemporary designers transform the piano into a true work of art.
The brand has also been able to anchor itself in the 21st century with the launch of the Spirio, a piano that combines traditional action with cutting-edge digital technology. Thanks to this system, a Spirio piano can faithfully reproduce the performances of the greatest artists, as if Horowitz or Lang Lang were playing in your living room.
Steinway locations, between history and modernity
In New York, the Steinway Hall is a legendary address, frequented by pianists for over a century. In Hamburg, the workshops perpetuate the brand's European tradition. These places are not simple factories or showrooms: they are temples dedicated to the piano, where heritage and modernity blend.
From Shanghai to London, Steinway Halls have multiplied, becoming meeting places for musicians, but also for lovers of design and culture. They embody a certain idea of luxury: discreet, linked to passion and the long term, contrary to fleeting trends.
A living legacy
Today, Steinway & Sons is much more than an instrument manufacturer. It is a company that has transcended the ages without ever sacrificing its high standards. A Steinway piano is not simply a musical object, but a lifelong companion, a witness to intimate moments and grand scenes, a work of art in itself.
In a world where everything is accelerating, Steinway embodies the opposite: the time needed to create, to listen, to share. Every note played on a Steinway tells this story, a story of harmony, passion, and perfection.
Ema Lynnx
