My Steinway Tour

-Stathia Orwig

​I was one of 20 teachers in the North Texas area chosen by Steinway & Sons to visit the New York Steinway Factory. Holy moly- I was totally blown away! As promised, I took lots of pictures so that I can show and tell you all that I saw! Steinway did not disappoint!!

The entire trip was 3 days. I arrived in New York Thursday afternoon. After a little trip to Times Square and a little Greek dinner, I  prepared for my amazing Friday!

We left from our hotel at 8am on a shuttle to the New York Steinway Factory. On our way, owner of Steinway Hall-Dallas, Plano, and Houston, Danny Saliba made introductions and told us a little history of himself and his relationship with Steinway. Danny had worked in the New York Factory for 15 years before coming to Dallas to open Steinway Hall-Dallas.

Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853 by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg who later Americanized his name to Henry E. Steinway. Back in the 1850s, Steinway had bought lots of property around the Queens area and to build the factory and homes for it's factory workers so that they didn't have to travel from Manhattan to the factory. That's why there is a Steinway Street!!

---

Upon arriving to the Steinway & Sons building, we were greeted and given name tags and filled out a waiver for our tour.

We were given a nice history of Steinway and Henry Steinway.
​Now, I'm not a huge history fan, but I was following right along!! 

Then we got outfitted in the coolest glasses I would have worn- HA!
​Apparently, we had to have eye protection.

I wasn't allowed to take pictures in most places, but what I did get, I want to share with you!

​First stop on our tour as making of the rim. The building was 5 stories tall- probably not the most efficient building to be making pianos- but they made it work! It is the original building and factory! Below are pictures of the rim presses. 

How wood is chosen- so many pieces don't make the cut!! There is a huge list of what is "Unacceptable" compared to those that are "Acceptable"

We were able to see and take photos of Steinway's “Pictures at an Exhibition”. This piano (below) was conceived and hand painted by Steinway Artist and world-renowned visual artist Paul Wyse. 

Last, and certainly not least, was the viewing of the Steinway SPIRIO- which is a high-resolution player piano. This piano is both a Steinway AND a player piano equipped with the latest technology allowing listeners to hear Steinway artists playing on that piano!

In a nut shell- I was completely honored to be chosen to be on this VIP tour. It truly was magnificent and gave me a whole new appreciation to how pianos are hand-made in America.

special links you might find interesting:
For Tour Information: www.steinway.com/about/vip-factory-tour
Video Narrated by John Steinway: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAInt7hIZlU