- Steinway & Sons buys Kluge, Europe’s largest manufacturer of piano keys, with which Steinway & Sons had been doing business for over a century.
- Steinway & Sons introduces “Steinway’s Rhapsody”, Limited Edition – a series of only 24 pianos (George Gershwin was 24 years old when he composed Rhapsody in Blue) – designed by Frank Pollaro in commemoration of George Gershwin’s 100th anniversary and creative genius. The piano features blue-dyed maple veneer in high gloss clear lacquer with more than 400 hand-cut mother-of-pearl inlaid stars. Instead of the traditional golden bronze plate, the one made of gilded silver is used, evoking the sophistication and style of the 1920’s. The music desk features a silhouette of the New York City’s skyline, and the hardware is finished in a highly polished nickel.