Watch this fascinating 30-minute film on the making of a Steinway piano

Handmade: My Royal Appointment 

STEINWAY

This fantastic 30-minute film travels between the factory in Hamburg, where Steinway pianos are still made largely by hand, and Steinway Hall in London, where a team of technicians maintain and restore the pianos.

First aired in June last year, the BBC Four documentary film offers a portrait of the craftsmen behind the most famous of piano makers.

From the stoic German factory workers (who usually remain in one department their whole working lives) to longstanding British restorer Jeff Prett – who has been with Steinway for 47 years and is about to retire – one gets to witness the real dedication from all. We also get to see and hear the words of Ulrich Gerhartz, Steinway’s Concert & Artist Manager, who keeps the giants of the piano playing in tune. No wonder he’s nicknamed ‘piano tuner to the stars’!

The film also follows Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang as he prepares for a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Here he is playing Liszt Piano Concert No 1 (on a Steinway, naturally…), at the 2011 BBC Proms:

Steinway & Sons are holders of a royal warrant since the days of Queen Victoria and supply pianos to the royal household as well as many leading performers.

Pianist is proud to record its series of Intermediate-Advanced piano lessons in the recital room of Steinway Hall, London, on a model D concert grand. The masterclasses are given by concert pianist and teacher Graham Fitch. Here's a recent lesson:

Graham has given some 50 lessons to date, and they can all be found on the Pianist TV channel.

In issue 97 of Pianist magazine, you can read our full-length feature on the restoration of Dame Myra Hess’s Steinway, which takes place in the workshops of Steinway Hall, London. Why not order a copy?  ​​​​​​