Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Steinway: world's finest?

I read this post just as I was taking a sip of diet coke and spit it on my lap. I don't know if I should thank you for the best laugh I've had today or be mad at you for soiling my pants.

I've done my share of Steinway bashing here, but usually it's in response to Steinway owners with a passive air of smugness.

Truth be told, I'm always happy to show up at a venue to perform and find a Steinway on stage. There is always an opportunity for magic to happen. The best Steinways out there cannot be beat. That's just a fact.

Now to play arm chair moderator: Norbert started this thread and specifically asked that naysayers and bashers don't post. So for those of you who chose to bash on this thread: you may want to up your dose of riddlin...

P.S. While my S&S is not the best in the world another S&S D might be. Mine is just close.

Personally speaking, and especially when in Germany, I played a few D's that left nothing left to yearn for.

There's only so much one can expect from an instrument and those specimen had it all.

Then, when travelling to another place or factory, same would happen again - involving another make.

Those of you who "have made the round" will understand what I'm talking about. It's an amazing journey.

However, in each and every case there was one thing same:
no other piano [side by side...] to directly compare to!

So what really is "best" piano is always somewhat of a guessing game.

Even at "best of times".....

Norbert

I think between the top makes, there's very little to choose in terms of quality. They all have their individual voice and it depends what you like best. Steinway is certainly a great piano, no doubt about it. The only problem I have with Steinways are ones that haven't been well maintained. I've seen this with all makes though!

For those of you who would like to learn more about the finest piano in the world, that which is without rival, and the standard by which all others are judged, may I offer the following suggestions:

Piano - The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand, by James Barron

Steinway and Sons, by Dr. Richard K. Lieberman

88 Keys - The Making of a Steinway Piano, by Miles Chapin

The Steinway Saga, by D. W. Fostle

Steinway, by Ronald Ratcliffe, Stuart Isacoff and Henry Steinway

A Romance on Three Legs - Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano, by Katie Hafner

Steinway - From Glory to Controversy: The Piano, the Family, the Business, by Susan Goldenberg

People and Pianos, by Theodore E Steinway

For those who like the nuts and bolts:

The Official Guide to Steinway Pianos, by Roy F. Kehl and David R. Kirkland

And, of course:

Henry the Steinway and the Piano Recital, by Sally Coveleski and Peter Goodrich

PhD in Hyperbole pending.

Sounds like Cadillac telling Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar that it is the standard by which all others are judged.

Marty seems to think that advertising and promotional material make the brand. And all these years I thought that sound and performance were the standards upon which a piano was judged.... my bad.

None the less, "Romance on Three Legs" is a facinating book! Well worth reading.

"A Romance on Three Legs" is fascinating reading even if you aren't necessarily a Steinway fan.

Ironically, Glenn Gould's final piano was a Yamaha which had been maintained and regulated by Mitsuo Azuma whose identity was never made known to him as his employer didn't want to lose him.

DAVID

I would argue that, until acoustic pianos are made entirely of inorganic (or at least not once living) materials, there can be no standard, since every acoustic piano made is different from every other piano, even if the same make and model.

To say that S&S is a standard is equivalent to saying that Great Blue Herons are the standard by which all other birds are judged, or that the current Miss World is the standard by which all people are judged.

This whole discussion is the standard by which all other threads should be judged...

Who said, "Reading is fundamental?" I disremember...

Hey Lib - You seem to be the only one who noticed the fine print!

For a Lib, I'm quite the fundamentalist.

Aha, a fundamentalist Clssc!

Congrats Dr. Marty. Will you wear a sword?

Only if it is Baroque in design. The more the better. Rococo would be effervescently and dynamically superlative.

Strangely enough, my Doctoral Dissertation has been accepted and I am awaiting the scheduling of my Orals. It's not in hyperbole, however, and it has taken twenty years.

Congratulations, Dr. Marty!

That is quite an educational accomplishment.

We have several Dr.'s who are members here... a lot of smart members! Hopefully, we can all learn from each other.

Rick

So, you really are Smarty?

Thanks Rick! Not quite yet, however. After all, I could bomb and forever be pending!

Oh-Oh Gary. Please don't start that again at PW.

Chapeaux Marty! I only had to sit for written exams. I do not envy you! BTW, have you said anywhere in this thread what your dissertation is about?

And can I have a copy (digital of course)?

Cheers!!!!