2003

  • In honor of Steinway & Sons’ 150th Anniversary, the company creates two new Art Case pianos: Limited Edition 150th Anniversary (the recreation of the historic Ignacy Paderewski Steinway & Sons grand piano), and the S.L.ED, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, with dramatic, highly-polished red and elegant black satin finishes.
  • Steinway & Sons creates the Peace Piano – the Art-Case Model D grand piano, the second to be included into Steinway & Sons’ “Legendary Art Case Collection”, after the Alma Tadema piano, built in 2002. It’s a re-creation of a historic Steinway & Sons concert grand piano that was first exhibited at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. The original piano, designed by renowned 20th Century Art Deco designer Walter Dorwin Teague, is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Steinway & Sons created this awe-inspiring concert grand piano to increase the public’s awareness of UNICEF and to raise money for children in need through the joy of music. In keeping with the theme of peace, above each leg is a hand carved dove grasping an olive branch. The lower rim of the case, painted gold like the doves, is adorned with 63 stars. The 195 flags of the nations of the world wrap around the bottom edge of the piano. The 35 flags across the front of the piano are those of developed nations, such as the United States, Great Britain, and other European countries that are aiding in relief efforts on UNICEF’s behalf. (Eventually, the Peace Piano will be bought by Mr. Devoe Moore of Tallahassee, Florida.)