WASHINGTON, DC (October 21, 2009) – Steinway & Sons, makers of hand-crafted pianos for more than 150 years, announced today the opening of a dedicated Steinway Piano Gallery in Tysons Corner Center in McLean, VA that will offer Steinway & Sons’ three lines of luxury pianos. This location is the first exclusive Steinway dealership in the Washington/Baltimore metro area, and the second gallery for St. Louis Gallery representatives David Slan and Gerry Malzone.
“Only at a Steinway Piano Gallery will you find the depth of inventory and full range of pianos that this premiere brand has to offer,” said David Slan, President of the Washington & St. Louis Galleries. “There is a certain level of quality and service that can only be found at a Steinway Piano Gallery. For example, it is important that a piano has hours of tuning and preparation before it can be shown on the floor or delivered to a buyer. We will use a large technical staff, trained in the Steinway tradition, so buyers can be assured their piano is of the highest quality and at peak condition.”
Steinway & Sons was founded in Manhattan in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway, a cabinet maker who had built his first piano in his kitchen back in Germany. Henry and his sons developed the modern piano, creating 114 patented inventions based on emerging scientific research and acoustical theory. The Steinways’ innovative and quality design made their pianos world-famous, the favorite of kings and queens, master pianists, and novice players alike.
“Steinway is the only piano which the pianist can do everything he wants. And everything he dreams,” commented legendary pianist Vladmir Ashkenazy.
“I have long admired Steinway pianos for their qualities of tone, clarity, pitch consistency, touch responsiveness, and superior craftsmanship,” said five-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Billy Joel.
Today 98% of the world’s concert pianists choose to play Steinway exclusively, without compensation, including Emanuel Ax, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang, Billy Joel, Diana Krall and Harry Connick, Jr.,” Slan continued. “There are numerous institutions that have chosen Steinway & Sons pianos, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Maryland, the National Cathedral, George Mason University, the Levine School of Music, the DC Public Schools, several embassies, even the Supreme Court and the White House. The Steinway is more than a piano, it’s an investment – it’s the only piano that increases in value over its lifetime.”
“Only my loyal Steinway piano endures,” said Roger Williams, named the greatest selling pianist in history by Billboard Magazine. “Be it beaten or caressed, its gorgeous tone remains.”
The Tysons Corner Center showroom will offer all three Steinway lines. The New York Steinway & Sons grand and upright pianos feature the highest level of traditional craftsmanship, painstaking attention to detail, and premium grade materials. It takes a full year to lovingly hand-craft each Steinway grand piano, with 12,000 individual parts. The original Steinways are also available in exquisite woods from around the world such as West African Kewazinga Bubinga, East Indian Rosewood, African Macassar Ebony, Santos Rosewood from Belize, and others. The Washington Gallery will also offer the Steinway designed Boston piano, featuring Steinway & Sons expertise and experience and many of the Steinway patented characteristics in the design. And for entry-level piano enthusiasts, the Gallery will present the Steinway designed Essex grand and upright pianos featuring a high level of musical performance at an attractive price.
Steinway Piano Gallery, Washington, D.C. will also rebuild Steinway pianos, where Steinway owners can bring their heirloom pianos for quality restoration in the Steinway tradition, done by Steinway-trained technicians using all Steinway parts.
