Steinway & Sons - Limited Editions
Throughout the 153-year history of Steinway & Sons, there has been a tradition of honoring special occasions by inviting leading designers to create exceptional instruments. Over the years, these limited editions have delighted many lucky owners. And indeed, these precious instruments are very special and unique masterpieces featuring the individual style of each designer.
125th Anniversary Limited Edition Grand Piano designed by Count Albrecht von Goertz
On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the foundation of Steinway & Sons in Hamburg in 2005, Count Albrecht von Goertz, the creator of arguably the world’s most beautiful sports car, the BMW 507, designed the anniversary grand piano which is notable for its simplicity. Equating music with movement, Count Goertz set about creating a special design that would reflect this idea. He chose to retain the classic Steinway black finish, focusing instead on endowing various components with the sleek lines for which he is renowned. The result was an elegant and timeless design with a hint of sensuality. Since the shape of Steinway & Sons grand pianos is essentially to given, he decided to accentuate the finish, creating a dynamic interplay between contrasting satin and highly polished surfaces. In doing so, he seemed to bring the piano to life. This grand piano Model A-188 is remarkably elegant and beautiful. Rather than taking designs to extremes, Count Goertz focused on the essentials and created an instrument notable for its simplicity, something he achieved by eliminating everything that is superfluous. The “125th Anniversary Limited Edition Grand Piano designed by Goertz” is a unique grand piano full of glamour and aesthetics.
THE S.L.ED designed by Karl Lagerfeld
When Steinway invited Karl Lagerfeld in 2003 to design the 150th anniversary grand piano, his response was just a simple “Why not?” His choice of design features clear lines which balance the specially wide tail of the grand that is typical of the Steinway Model A. Karl Lagerfeld’s basic idea was to create a sled-shaped grand piano – the unusual rectangular legs in particular support this image. The idea also gave the grand piano its name: THE S.L.ED by Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld has even given this name an additional meaning in a play on words: THE S(teinway). L(imited). E(dition). The choice of color for the instrument is equally unusual. Inspired by classic Japanese boxes, Karl Lagerfeld added bold red accents, while selecting an ultra-matt black as the basic color of this instrument.
150th Anniversary Limited Edition Historic Grand Piano
Such an important event like the 150th anniversary need more than just one special edition. That’s why Steinway & Sons unveiled a second anniversary grand piano besides the one created by Karl Lagerfeld. This grand piano is a recreation of the instrument used by the famous Polish pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski on his dazzling concert tour of America in 1892-93.
This instrument reflects the elegant and classic Victorian furniture design of the late 19th century. Among the striking period details are the carved, fluted legs and the exquisitely carved music desk incorporating a Steinway Lyre in the center. The historic anniversary grand piano was built in sizes B and O, and in East Indian rosewood or ebony, both with an elegant satin finish.
Tricentennial Limited Edition Grand Piano designed by Dakota Jackson
The 300th anniversary of the piano in 2000 was reason enough to present a special grand piano. The challenge was to create an art case piano that would embody the Steinway tradition of hand craftsmanship and technical innovation, and also create a new perception of how this fabulous instrument has changed the world of music. To accomplish this task, Steinway chose to collaborate with renowned furniture designer, Dakota Jackson, an artist known for his simple yet inventive approach to design. The stunning result is Tricentennial, a piano that captures the instrument’s essential beauty, while incorporating numerous engineering innovations. In this project, Dakota Jackson, who also happens to be an excellent pianist, placed great value in elegant shapes, discreet highlights, and interesting lines. The very first glance at this grand reveals its lightness, and the resulting elegance. Interesting design elements like for example the lid, which is divided into three and opens like a fan, or the elegant S-shaped lid topstick strengthen the modern touch of the grand.