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From the New Yorker, where this photo was originally posted:
The Making of a Steinway Piano
Piano Keys in Polishing Department, 2012.
Soundboards, 2012.
Piano Rotation Machine, 2012.
Soundboard Conditioning Room, 2012.
Model D Rim Press, 2012.
Piano Rim Conditioning Room, 2012.
Piano Rims in Conditioning Room, 2012.
Belly Department, 2012.
Model D Soundboard Rib Press, 2012.
Model D Soundboard Bridge and Plate, 2012.
Wally’s World (Final Tone Regulation), 2012.
Piano Casing Undersides, 2012.Opening today at Bonni Benrubi Gallery, “One Steinway Place” is an exploration of the famed piano factory in Astoria, Queens, by the photographer Christopher Payne. Under the glow of fluorescent lights, raw lumber is bent, pressed, conditioned, and polished into instruments of exacting quality. With more than twelve thousand individual parts, including Canadian maple, Bavarian spruce, and Swedish steel, each piano takes nearly a year to assemble before being subjected to a final hand inspection by Wally Boot, a fifty-year veteran of the factory. Payne was allowed unfettered access to the factory, allowing him to document every step of the process. Here’s a selection of his work, which is on view through September 19th.
Photographs by Christopher Payne/Bonni Benrubi Gallery.
Related articles
- A Fascinating Look At What It Takes To Make A Steinway Piano (huffingtonpost.com)
I would recommend the documentary, as it is very informative. In Australia, all our Steinway & Sons come from Germany, and from what I understand the sound and production is different from the American pianos. I was able to play on a brand new ‘D model’ recently. It was an excellent piano, very good dynamic control, and easy to play. However, I founded it sounded too much like a recording.
You might be interested in an Australia designed piano, the Stuart and Sons piano. It has the longest sustain on any piano I’ve played, and is a very incredible instrument. It has an additional 20 keys, and four pedals. It is worth playing it, if you ever have the chance. It is a very cool piano!!
fantastic blog !