Note by Note: The Making of a Steinway Piano | Musical Instrument | ENDEVR Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ธ.ค. 2020
- Note by Note: The Making of Steinway | Piano | ENDEVR Documentary
Note By Note is a feature-length documentary that follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand, L1037. It explores the relationship between musician and instrument, chronicles the manufacturing process, and investigates what makes each Steinway unique.
Watch the evolution L1037 from forest floor to concert hall. Meet the craftsmen and women who shape L1037's personality. Discover the depth of the artist's relationship with their instrument. From the factory floor in Queens to Steinway Hall in Manhattan, each piano's journey is complex, spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and countless hours of fine-tuned labor. Filmed in key Steinway locations, the factory, Steinway's reserve Bank, and private auditions. Note By Note is the first documentary to portray the patience, craft, and personality built into each Steinway.
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I work for Steinway doing restorations and just so you guys know, this piano was made in 2006, and just came in (2022) for its first refurbish. Most pianos don’t need restored this soon, but it’s been traveling all over the country, so it gets a lot of shipping wear and temp/humidity shifts. It’s getting a case and harp refinish, along with an action tuneup and new strings. Proud to have my hands on this instruments history
wow! being a piano restorer must be an amazing job!
Amazing!
@@kongaroo2953 it’s a bunch of fun
That's so amazing!
The question is: did you find this video after stumbling on the piano? Or did you recognise the piano as the one from the video?
The people who worked on 1037, each and every one, if you saw them walking down the street, you'd never expect for a moment, what skill lies within that person. That's the definition of 'don't judge a book by its cover'. Marvelous video. Thank you.
This truly should be recognized , as not every person departing studies IS even fit to hit a nail in straight , or Doctor etc . Different people have different skills or Talents ! ~Even from Start to finish of the Musk Industry !
Yes. True artists in their trade......dedicated and rewarded with the gift of music.....from many great concert pianists and to see the young pianists play these magnificent instruments.
They could also be a serial killer 😂
The makers of this documentary deserve an award, very well done.
As a Midwestern country hick I am touched by how these handcrafted works of art are loved and made by common people of many nationalities, different races, etc. This is what has always made America great and I don’t understand why we can’t all see that. It seems so damn obvious to me.
True! Many Americans have always accepted what you say. It's just that they tend to be "in the minority" in every way.
It was once before mega companies and run for a pure profit took place.
My mother was a professional concert pianist and definitely preferred the Steinway. Interestingly, she met Catherine Bielefeldt when during WWII when they were both in somebody's idea of an all women piano orchestra (about fifteen pianists). My mother was lead pianist and Cathy was one of the other pianists. That enterprise didn't last long, but they became life long friends. So who is Catherine Bielefeldt? She became the first female manager at Steinway Hall in New York. She also wrote an excellent book about how pianos are built called "The Wonders of the Piano: The anatomy of the instrument." For much of her career, my mother had a Mehlin & Sons piano in the living room. Cathy helped her get a reconditioned Steinway and my mother was in heaven with that instrument. When she passed away, and since my mother had been very involved in helping young women in their careers, my brother and I donated the piano to a deserving young female artist. Like they sometimes say on the "American Pickers" show, sometimes its not about money but about getting something into the right hands.
Mr. Kinzer.........Please take a BOW. You did something WONDERFUL. BRAVO.
sydney, N.S. Canada
Something beautiful about the gift of music and passing it on to a new generation. Wonderful.
lie
@@kingkoopa8996 Well, Cathy's history is available online and is well known. You can always contact the Oak Park chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (of which my mother was a founder and so was Cathy) in Oak Park, IL and they can tell you my mother's history as well. They will know about the piano and also about a $5,000 piano competition my brother and I funded in my mother's honor that the chapter officiated. I'm sure the musician's union representatives in that area still have records going back far enough to show her. My mother also headed the MacDowell String Trio back in the 1950's and 1960's sponsored by the MacDowell Artists Association. It was so long ago it might be hard to find references online, but the Association should be able to vouch for not only its existence, but also its prominence in the Chicago area. Now, what is your proof that I lied?.
My 1920 Steinway M and I first met in 1976 when I was six-years-old. I have so often thought about the hands that made my Steinway, what their lives were like (especially considering 1920) and how amazing it is that their work is still preserved long after they have passed.
Wow, I wished this beautiful presentation never ended. Real people living their lives around something magnificent that unifies them. And the exceptional people, the masters of performance, they experientially appreciate the instrument produced by great Craftsmanship. So charming a film, may the future of Steinway prosper and continue.
Amen
Not if the CCP has its way. They want to buy it. If they do, the company will be destroyed forever.
P
P
I don't know for anyone else... but I found this experience emotional to almost heartbreaking... not of a loss or anything like that. It's to do with music. Music is emotional in one way or another depending on the style preference. Here it's the beginning of an instrument that creates so much colour, so much variation in this universe of music. It somehow placed me at the center and I found it almost spiritual, touching the heart. As if the witnessing of the creation of a soul.😭❤️🙏🏼
I've watched tens of thousands of videos on this platform, if not hundreds of thousands, and this is absolutely my favorite one. It's amazing, it's enlightening, it's informative, and it's comforting.
And it doesn’t belong to this channel. It was a free promotional dvd from Steinway
I was so happy to hear the artist say it was her favorite piano from the first time she played it. I was pulling for L1037. That says something about the characters and telling of this story. The Steinway factory is a microcosm of America; A melting pot of the worlds great talents and spirit.
Eben Clukey you have hit the nail so cleanly and perfectly on the head!!! It could not have been more succinctly put!
I love the fact that so many cultures come together to build this iconic instrument
My thoughts exactly!!!!
Those look like the same faces I see on the busses and subways of Queens NY, and the NYC metro area in general. Lovely to see the faces of skilled artisans. Nice to see them all working together in one factory. Walking on the streets I see the same faces, but unlike on public transportation, neighborhoods tend to be more homogenous. However NYC neighborhoods tend to be small and butt up against each other, so you may have to walk only a fraction of a mile before you see people who look different from the people in the last neighborhood you were in a moment earlier..
You mean the two black dudes? Bro…. Cmon…
@@rxw5520
Hahahahha totally agreed
@Eurystheas and @rxw5520 have you noticed that many of the people commenting here seem to really love the smell of their own farts? I mean not like us guys do. More in a pompous and sanctimonious kinda way, ya dig?
There is a lively factory. Everyone on the floor displays personality, and attitude. And the test drives are quirky and sublime.
15:25 Henry Steinway brief comment about nepotism and his honesty about it was both hilarious, cool and smart in a non pompous way.
As in a Steinway grand piano, this documentary is gracefully raw, natural and beautifully handcrafted, scene by scene ! 🎹
ganz recht
yes
As a pianist, accompanist and "listener of vocal tones", I found this moving and instructive but not in a sense of "going to school". It was much more profound. I found myself wondering why the grand Baldwin I play at church and the Mozart (no longer in production but titled as an "upright grand") at home share a similar "heart" yet not really. I now know the why. Thank you Steinway for building pianos with such "heart and feeling". Each craftsperson in your company has a gift well worth preserving. I've played on many different instruments from the Asian to the North American to European. Each has had a call on my spirit. I now know why. Thank you for posting!
I bought the DVD as soon as it came out. I've watched it countless times, even though I'm not a musician myself -- I'm the paying audience. I've seen several of the performers featured in concert, including a week ago. I was privileged to sit in a front row seat when Marcus Roberts and his jazz trio improvised with the entire Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra to Gershwin's First symphony. Standing ovation. BTW, when I was a little kid the first piece of music I fell in love with was my Dad's 78 rpm record of Rhapsody In Blue.
I’ve been a violin maker for fifty years, so I have a deep appreciation for this craft, especially the woodworking parts. Very interesting. Great work. The Stradivari’s of pianos
" Hey mom can I go to the park and play ? "
" No, we are going steinway shopping "
I've had the honor to play one some very old and historically beautiful pianos throughout my career, nothing compares to the elegance and tonality of a Steinway
What a documentary. Enjoyed every minute. THAT - is NEW YORK. So many cultures ! So much artistry ! So much integration !!! Love the accents of all the people. Loved the guy who installed the plate and said it was his piano. Ownership of the finished product. That assures quality. Wooden musical jewelry. I'm a kid that grew up in Hicksville, NY. This is one of the best documentaries I've seen. OK - I admit it - I'm homesick.
I so agree with you. Not only did I enjoy seeing the craftsmanship and love being displayed in the making of these fine instruments, but as a native New Yorker (born in Manhattan, raised in the Bronx), I also appreciated the wonderful diversity of the Steinway & Sons factory. Yes, that is New York!! Like you, I live elsewhere, but still miss NYC. I was so moved by this wonderful documentary (there were parts of it that brought tears of appreciation and joy), that I bought the DVD by the same title. May Steinway & Sons continue forever!
America at its finest bringing together our best people to create the best piano in the world.
What a fascinating story, so well told. I was so glad the last part was shown where we found how L1037 was received by the artists. It was like a child a found it's parent.
A fantastic documentary, showing the true craftsmanship and dedication needed to produce such a beautiful instrument.
Thanks and a huge shout out to the beautiful souls sharing their joy in everyday craftsmanship. As a retired and well satisfied Custom Cabinetmaker with 47 years of labor, I can tell you one of my personal mantras, shared since 1972, is this : 'Many people can play a Steinway piano. Not many people can make a Steinway piano,' Thanks, Again.
You must be a ‘ CHIP ‘ off the old block - well matured😊
A wonderful documentary. I hope the dedicated craftsmanship that Steinway exemplifies lives forever!
I have watched this video many times over the years because It never ceases to amaze me how a piece of wood turns into a musical instrument. Steinway does it the best especially with all the new capabilities like the Steinway Spirio piano. I can understand why the people who work for Steinway have a sense of pride in the work they do. After all it is the workers who make a Steinway the best piano in the world. ❤️
Ñ
@STICKITINYOUREAR Several different species of tree, but it's not just wood. It's cast iron, the hardest grade of steel wire (called "piano wire" no less), soft steel wire for the action parts, copper wire, wool felt, other metals (such as for the pedals), steel tuning pins, brass or bronze actions pins, and some have teflon bearings for the action pins. Not mention lots of glue. And special plastic resins for the keytops.
In 1937 my grandfather bought at Steinway Baby Grand for my mother’s 16th birthday.
Subsequently, my older sister learned to play on it, then it was my turn. After me my brother decided the violin was his instrument but, he self taught on that piano.
Watching this video caused memories to come flooding back. There are so many stories about that wonderful instrument.
It finally made its way into the hands of my nephew and his wife. Unfortunately and sadly it no longer blesses his house with its unique tone.
I am so glad to have stumbled upon this story of the “birth” of a truly unique instrument. I thought at one point I heard our beloved Steinway in the video.
My mother wanted her children to play the piano so my father bought us one, and never I never fully mastered this exquisite instrument, it informed the rest of my life. It was wonderful to share in the journey of this king of instruments and the devas, gnomes, sylphs, undines and salamanders that each contributed their own bit of magic to its life. This journey was good for us all.
My kids bought me this documentary on DVD for my birthday one year. I absolutely love and treasure it. It has brought me a lot of joy.
If the makers of S0616 are here, thank you for all the joy you have brought to my life. Truly a special instrument. One that I bonded with immediately.
My grandmother had me take piano lessons as a kid. I wasn't any good. I'm more of a visual artist. I love the sound of a piano no matter the style of music. This is a great documentary. The craftsman are very blessed. Thank you.
The best 56 minutes I have spent in a very long time.
Amazing to learn that the craftmanship behind the construction of the piano has remained the same throughout the centuries.
Not really. There are a lot modern machinery and techniques employed in the manufacturing process, like band saws, presses, autoclaves to heat the body, and proper air-conditioning to regulate temperature and humidity. However, the human element is still there in the tuning of the sound board, the stringing, assembly and fine tuning of the actions before & after installing them in the bodies. Then you have the final Tonal Technicians. They make all the difference in the world. Japan’s Yamaha and Kawai have a problem in their piano manufacturing, in the top ten best piano makers in the World. They have a shrinking and aging population that are less involved in the trades than the rest of the World. China does not have that problem and they are making inroads catching up to Steinway, Kawai, Yamaha, and European builders.
Watching this is a dream...I've always loved tinkering what's hidden behind our piano as a girl, it was fascinating then but I have a deeper appreciation now after seeing how much love and dedication goes into each and every piece of this magical instrument.
The scene of the boy playing his new Steinway for his proud family was very moving.
Director be like: oh yea let the grandma cry for the *effect*
Made me want to boak, actually, even though I loved this documentary.
@@Ndlanding LOL yeah, he is terrible on piano but has the money
@@QalinaCom Clearly! But I bet he'll never eat the home-made Scotch Broth I'm enjoying just now, coming back from the pub after a few Guinnesses. I'll just stick with my guitars and my simulated/digitiized keyboards, and be comfy.
@@QalinaCom Don't hate him 'cause you ain't him. Did you even see the house? It was clearly more of a 'his entire family foregoing anything for themselves to support their gifted son to give him a shot in life' spec.
Not, 'let's take the new Ferrari, dressed in Gucci, to pick up little Jimmy's new ivories for the Beverly Hills McMansion'.
What an incredible video. Loved seeing Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, Kenny Baron and of course the other great pianists. The building of these instruments is so fascinating to me and the craftsmanship is beyond reproach!!!
I had the honor of restoring the finish on George Gershwin’s piano for Mrs Ira Gershwin which now sits in the Gershwin Room in the “Library of Congress.”
Will never forget reading on the liner notes famous Glenn Gould saying that Bill Evans was the only Jazz pianist he'd heard who knew how to extract the proper tone from a Grand Piano. If I had to pick my favorite it would definitely be Bill.
I love the sound of these pianos, I never knew how much work went into building one. I don't know how much they cost but its probably not enough. these are truly a work of art!
Rich
From the first video minute to the very last, the pride in the quality of work performed and the deep appreciation for those who came before them was the common thread in each and every Steinway employee. I'll be sure to find time to watch the video again and suggest it to others.
This is phenomenal...I'm a guitarist but am really loving this documentary... fascinating stuff...what a great job to have...I was born in Astoria but never knew of the Steinway factory... the magic lies in the *people* and their love for what they do - no machine can replicate that 🎶🎶🎶
Ha. They may as well be on the production line at Ford. It was funny to watch elitists' swoon over something made by good old fashion American assembly line labour through repetitive muscle memory. I hope they're in a union and at least have medical insurance in that God forsaken country. A luthier is a far more impressive and skilled job.
@@tristanpatterson3843 So sorry you’re a manic depressive. Take your meds. And please stay where you are. 😊
@@tristanpatterson3843 I'm not sure but I think you must have watched a different documentary...and then posted your comment here by mistake. Steinway hand builds high end quality pianos for a specific market. Nothing mass produced but hand crafted fine instruments. Did you actually watch the whole show??
I couldn’t say it better myself being a **Kunstichler**. Art & Dedication 100 % - sometimes people have no patience ; The Best cannot be Rushed
Being a * Perfectionist * . Was this Company before “WWII “ in Germany along with Name Steinmeier? My Grand Mother had an Upright with the Golden Metal badge placed inside just above keys middle of keyboard a man on each side of the badge. Also a pair of swivel golden candle stick holders on outer front facing .
I was born in Astoria, Queens, as were Tony Bennett, Christopher Walken, and The Late Patrick MaGoohan. One of the main streets in Astoria, is Steinway Street. At the end of that street, is the factory. As a lifelong musician, and bassist, I have stood near pianos of every maker. To me, nothing sounds quite as good as a Steinway.
I love seeing people who take such pride in their work, whatever that may be. The fact that it is over the craftsmanship of my favorite instrument just magnifies the feeling immensely. The down plunge of hirable people and lack of work ethic and pride in craftsmanship is heartbreaking and angering all at once.
Beautifully made documentary. Absolutely mesmerising. Long live real craftmanship.
I built a chapel addition to a church about ten years. The piano was to be under a dome like structure of several layers of drywall and plaster which was carefully engineered. It was also made for a digital pipe organ as soon as enough rich members died to finance the $300k needed for it. When they finally set the piano, it was amazing. A professional team of tuners came in to set it up. I could be working in a bathroom down the hall 50 yards away in the sound would carry so well it was like you are in the same
room. Amazing piano and acoustic engineering. The sound contractor told me this is the best Steinway in the state.
I just hope this tradition is able to be continued - it’s something that is too good to allow to end.
I’ve been studying to be a hobby pianist for the past 3 years, now I’m hoping to become a piano technician because the idea of doing that as job gives me a happy feeling I cannot usually describe. My friends as well as my family and current coworkers have been so supportive of my dream that they even helped me move an old upright so I can get my feet wet. For so long in my life, I felt lost in what to do but lately everything has just been connecting for me and I’d like to get to be apart of the creation or repair process.
watching these guys work is like watching a well orchestrated symphony... they are master craftsman and play well as a team!
WOW...I was completely absorbed. Electronic music is great but the intricacy, craftsmanship, pride tgat goes into this instrument is so impressive! I pray the trade is not lost!
Interesting request, - the things we see are temporal, the things we cannot see are Eternal ! ! 😇
Whenever I am lucky enough to hear my son play, every single time, I feel utterly compelled to stop what I am doing, close my eyes and just…. Listen. And likewise, every single time, tears come to my eyes. It’s overwhelming to put it lightly. My dream for that young man, hopefully one day I can find the opportunity for him to play on a Steinway 🥲 even if it’s for an hour. If there’s a single word that comes to my mind when I hear my kids or anyone else for that matter play from their soul…..it’s magic. I’m tearin up just writing this 🥲☺️ great video, thanks for this!
I cannot play a single note, however this was nothing short of hypnotic to watch. Absolutely incredible
So you lack any ability to press a single key?
@@ShainAndrews I think he means he cannot afford or has any way to play one, idk
Wow! Just wow! I grew up on Steinway street in the late 60’s -80’s- what pride this documentary instills in me being a guitar player!!! Thank you thank you!!!! Astoria Queens RULES !!!!! And so do all of you great craftsmen!!!!!
I've always loved music and especially the piano. Just awesome watching these talented and dedicated people working together to produce this beautiful instrument. Excellent documentary.
Absolutely amazing. I love watching master crafts people work! So much has been lost in society today and it makes me wonder what life will be like when the art of a craftsman is gone. Very sad....... I praise those who teach those willing to learn art.
This was so wonderful it was almost mythical....
It reminded of the joy I used to feel providing prenatal care and delivering babies years ago.
Beautiful presentation of people creating beauty as passionate human beings.
If I watch this every day I can begin loving the world again.....
I cannot lie, I am extremely jealous of the kid (32:00) getting a fking Steinway grand piano as a gift from his parents. As a kid I loved music, but my family was extremely poor and not very supported either when it came to music. I saved up to buy a cheap 50 key midi keyboard to teach myself play. I ended up teaching myself playing piano, guitar, double bass and some saxophone. Performed a lot with music for many years until I started university.
I learned by using instruments at my school, practicing when I was there or when practicing in various bands I was in (jazz, rock etc). But I never could afford any real piano at home to play and practice on, or get any piano lessons. My biggest love was playing classical music on the piano.
I envy these kids that had opportunities to get lessons, have a piano (let alone a Steinway grand piano!), supporting parents etc. I hope they take advantage of their opportunity as it would break my heart if given all this, they get bored and stop playing.
I have watched this magnificent video 3 times. What an integration of talent and traditions. We gave our M78 Steinway concert grand, inherited from my father, to our daughter in Raleigh, NC after a Steinway repairer replaced the cracked soundboard, restrung the piano and refinished. Plays like new!
Glad you loved it. As did I. We had a Steinway concert grand in the family too. My grandfather bought it in auction for his daughter. My mom
played beautifully. Seeing each craftsman doing their thing: like you eloquently said - what an integration of talent and traditions
We could not afford Steinway so we purchased a Boston GP designed by Steinway.
It has a beautiful tone and is a very beautiful piano from NY City now residing in Las Vegas.
It seems to me there is always something special to products that are built by hand by people that really care about what they make. Two great examples of this are these pianos and this documentary. Thanks for sharing.
I watched this documentary a while back, wishing I could own a Steinway someday. I spent half a year playing absolutely every kind of piano... searching for the "right" one... Of course, it ended up being a Steinway. My family just purchased it today. It possesses a bewildering ability to express exactly how you need it to in the moment. It's as if it already knows what you want to play. I owned a Yamaha for years, and it was absolutely fantastic. But when I play this piano, I feel that it's how a piano was meant to be. My only wish is that the very people who made my piano knew exactly how I felt about it. If they did, they might be assured they had one of the most influential jobs you could have. When you buy a Steinway, it isn't just consumerism or a transaction. It's an investment in mutual appreciation for expression of humanity.
Nice try, Steinway & Sons, but your pianos are too expensive.
you do realise everyone if green with envy and hating you after reading this LOL
@@QalinaCom haha definitely bought a used one. And it's taken over a decade to get to this point! Lol
@@HuckleberryGin ah come on. It’s a matter of priorities. Don’t spoil this.
Talk about exacting workmanship..My Grandfather had to play an old upright and the church pipe organ. I could imagine what he would say if he got to play on a Steinway . Love the man , " When you walk with your hands" !
Beautiful to see how much pride they take in their work!
Always have thought there must be a great deal of joy in playing a piano ... and playing one well must be very satisfying ...
I wish my family could have afforded a piano growing up.
but i hope to be able to provide my family a piano. its just seems so relaxing to play.
Being born a prodigy helps.
Put your hands on your piano and begin your journey. You may have a gift that can comfort many people. 🎶🎶🎶 Please update us. Music is one field where there is no wasted time. 🙏 I'm 79 years on my path. Joy indeed.
I grew up sitting next to my grandma playing her baby grand. It took up a huge part of their Craftsman homes living room. I never learned to play though hearing piano brings fond memories.
What a lovely documentary!
A lovely documentary! Thanks to all for all their hard work and dedication.
I was lucky to work the night shift at the National Arts Center in Ottawa and often treated myself to the Steinways in a quasi empty building. Class, wonderful touch and sound.
Hope this beautiful craftsmanship is never lost! Beautiful documentary! I LOVE the piano almost above all instruments, but I can't say for sure because I love music, and many instruments, and voice, too!
Such majesty. Such dedication and love. Such craftsmanship. Glorious.
This is beautiful, you can totally get the vibe from the people and the steinway company.
AND AGAIN,EXTREMELY FASTENATING I LEARNED SOMETHING:THANK YOU EVERYONE! PLEASE KEEP POSTED.
What a wonderful lecture in art, human finesse and probably the most complete instrument in the world...
Amazing video. It was so pleasing to see just what it takes to make such a beautiful instrument. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Hearing all of the beautiful music was an added treat.
43:20 Mastercard moment - priceless.
I am amazed about the mood of the era of this documentary!
06, the very end of the pre smartphone brain.
I’m a pianist who absolutely cannot afford a Steinway right now, but I live right by the factory in Queens, I love walking my dog by it and dreaming of one day getting one.
Beautiful and inspiring-please keep it up- these hand- built pianos are truly art in the truest sense.
This is one of the most comforting videos I have seen in a long time. We humans do not often make good use of the things we destroy. We destroy trees and animal habitats to build in places that set up animals and ourselves for destruction. But in watching this video, I can imagine that a tree might feel a bit honored to be shaped into a Steinway, particularly by these craftspeople who hail from so many different places yet bring a similar respect for the process and the product.
What a well made documentary, curiosity about the piano construction totally explained ,the variety of people culture from their country and race working with passion and pride for the results. Thanks so much for this upload a treasure.
I agree it's a fantastic documentary, but there is no way it describes any of the details or satisfies my tremendous curiosity.I'd love to see loads more!
Tengo dos pianos en casa y nunca imaginé el trabajo de construir uno. Gracias por el documental. Saludos desde Guanajuato, México
And that's exactly why I keep on telling everyone that every piano has a soul. And a musician must choose the one that speaks to him otherwise it's not going to be a good ride. I've composed pieces of music on certain instruments that I never managed to do on others. It's truly something you must choose wisely and take your time choosing it.
what an awesome comment - thank you. My mom played on a Steinway. She wasn’t happy playing on anything else
Darn it Steinway. Now I’ll have L1037 stuck in my head. Beautiful talented people.
I am close to tears in seeing this magnificent documentary. Why? Let me tell you, please. First, since I was twelve years old there had been a magnificent restored 1908 Model O Steinway in my life. My mother, a piano teacher, and I went shopping for it in St. Louis in 1959. We knew we wanted a Steinway. So we went to the dealership in St. Louis, where they kindly took us to a room where a number of magnificent pianos were on display. They all appeared to be new, but there was one that we gravitated toward. It had a presence, a sound, an aura. When the gentleman who was working with us came back, we told him which one we thought might be The One. We were surprised when he told us that our piano was a model O, now restored, but built on 1908, and that it was the only rebuilt piano in the room. All the others were new instruments. Mother and I looked at each other and we both realized that that information did not deter us. So the Model O became ours. I started playing the piano when I was four, and at twelve I finally had a real Steinway. And it was a permanent presence in my parents’ home, where I lived until I left home at age 18, to go to college, in New York City, where I became a denizen of Carnegie Hall, Philharmonic Hall, and the Met. I somehow managed to afford tickets to performances of many world class soloists and groups. Every time I went home, our Model O was there, black, gleaming in the corner of our living room. I would play my old favorites, from Beethoven Sonatas, Bach Well-Tempered Klavier, hymns.
Fast forward forty years. Mother is approaching the final years of her life and it was simply a given that the Model O would come to me, and it finally did, in 2007. By this time, it needed another restoration, which I had done before it finally came to my house.
There it occupied its own perfect spot in my house, in Northern New England, in a elegantly modern room with wood floors, a high ceiling, with a contemporary Venetian glass chandelier. The sound was glorious. Everything about her was glorious. She had an aura that told you when you first came into the room that this was a very special piano.
So, I played, and played, and played, reacquainting myself with my old friend, now beautiful again, in every possible way.
Then, in late 2015, it became necessary to move again, this time to the west coast. It was to be a large and difficult move and I did not trust our lowest-bidder moving company to handle her properly. So, knowing that I needed to have some time to get settled in my new place to live, and Then would be the time to find a experienced piano mover and have her brought to me. In the meanwhile, i had her stored with the local fine piano dealer. So, in early 2017, I found the right piano mover and was within a day of setting things in motion to have her brought to me. Then, I received a letter in the mail, in a business envelope. The letter said to me approximately the following: “We regret to have to inform you that on (Specific date), our premises suffered a catastrophic fire and all of the pianos we had in that location, including yours, were destroyed.”
I was (and still am) devastated. It was and is the very real equivalent of losing a beloved, venerable family member.
I was able to recover some financial damages from my homeowners insurance, but certainly not enough to replace her with an equivalent piano.
Since then, now six years later I am resolved, determined to have another Model O or an equivalent, new or restored, to play and enjoy everyday of my remaining life. I am now 75 years old and have an intention of having this dream come true.
Does anyone here, watching the documentary or reading these comments, have any ideas how this could possibly happen? I have vowed to myself and my family that I am not going to give up until once again I have a Steinway grand piano to play on.
Absolutely stimulating video of craftsmanship. This should become a returning episode to encourage the younger generation.
One hour of my curiosity satisfaction and pure pleasure. Thanks for sharing this great documentary!
Bravo!!! This documentary was so well structured and progressively intriguing. I loved everything. Thank you, Endevr for sharing 🫶🏾💫♥️💫🌎💫
I have always loved 🥰 🎹 pianos and music it produces,after watching how it is made at Steinway by each individual person who is totally dedicated to their job makes me realise why it is so good to listen. I just adore 🥰 it.
Absolutely mesmerizing. All involved looked like Rembrandt painting one of his masterpieces. Magnificent.
I just love how everyone in the video is smiling. Although I’m a students who’s not in music major, my dream is to work in the music industry someday.
Great documentary and very heartwarming!
Thank you for creating and sharing this presentation. This was a lovely representation of how people from all walks of life can come together to create such a great instrument and then share its beautiful sound with the world.
This is so uplifting and interesting. The pride in workmanship and the product, it is a beautiful thing see and feel! 18:40 to 18:50 tears and smiles!
I spend, I'm sure, what most people would conside an inordinate amount of time watching videos. Thousands and thousands and more. From an informational viewpoint the learning possibilities can be enormous, often mind boggling. That said, this is one of the very best videos I've ever seen. Period. Just brilliant. I know I will come back to it soon. Thank you.
How my mother always wanted a Steinway.. Every home should have a piano.. 🏆
Hi! I have a simple studio Steinway piano that was my mothers 16 birthday present from her father, and I inherited this from her when she passed.
She taught me music and made me practice. Today I have a great ear for musical recordings….lucky me to have good history.
I don't even play piano but I'm jealous of the folks who can afford a Steinway because they're just breathtaking works of art.
the guy in the football jersey admits he doesn’t know how to even play piano. but still puts in 100% work and effort to make them come out great. just the love and appreciation is great to hear. i don’t even play piano myself but this was amazing to watch
I always wanted a Steinway piano. They sound amazing. I played when I was a kid but my playing did not deserve a Steinway.
Beautiful Doc. I wish they'd have shown us how the Keys and the Hammers were made and who makes them, and what goes into that part of the process. There was but a glimpse of some women working in that department.
Very interesting.
Thanks for share this documentary. Specially, who loves pianos.
Excellent Documentary !!!! A great amount of work indeed for all involved to produce this, great filming, story and sound!
Great documentary. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
What an absolute gem of a documentary. Lovely and interesting approach . My only complaint is that I wanted it to last longer.