On 19 December, an exceptional musical event took place in the Grand Manège in Namen: the "Steinway Xmas Days". This unique concert was organized in collaboration with Piano's Maene, the country's largest piano manufacturer, and brought together enthusiasts of piano sounds and history for a captivating journey through the evolution of the Steinway piano.
Under the guidance of two dedicated staff members from Piano's Maene and with the participation of renowned pianists such as Eric Le Sage, Frank Braley, and Su Yeon Kim, the different stages of Steinway piano development were illustrated. The programme started with a beautiful rendition of Schubert on a historical Steinway from 1836, the very first piano built by the brand. Subsequently, the artists brought works by Brahms to life on a model from 1875 and Debussy's impressionistic sounds resonated on a specimen from 1881. The concert ended on a modern Steinway concert grand, where contemporary technology and tradition blend together.
In addition to the musical performances, the audience also gained a fascinating glimpse inside the pianos, with explanations of the technical aspects and the evolution of the instrument. The public could see with their own eyes how Steinway's innovation over the years has led to the current state-of-the-art models.
One of the highlights of the evening was the demonstration of the Steinway Spirio, an advanced system that can capture the nuances of a piano concert and later reproduce them flawlessly on another piano. Thanks to this ingenious system, the audience could enjoy a virtual presence of world star Yuja Wang and even composer and pianist George Gershwin. The enchantment of these technological innovations captivated the audience.
The evening concluded with a special performance of a Mozart sonata on two pianos: one completely played by hand, the other partly using Spirio technology. The perfect interplay between human and machine not only demonstrated the technical progress of the Steinway piano, but also emphasized the indispensable role of the pianist as an artist.
The "Steinway Xmas Days" in the Grand Manège were not only a tribute to the craftsmanship and innovation of Steinway & Sons, but also a celebration of the timeless beauty of piano music. This event was a true gift for music lovers and a unique experience that brought the magic of the instrument and its history closer.