March 20, 2009
Steinway piano maker sets up shop in 57th St. window
NewYorkology contributor Sam Meyer commits journalism by night, edits Cocktailians and explores NYC by day. He’s especially interested in the infrastructure, transit, architectural wonders, drinking establishments, and hidden corners of the greatest city in the world.
Industrial manufacturing has largely moved out of Manhattan, but Steinway & Sons pianos are still made by hand in Astoria, Queens just as they have been for over a hundred years. But this week and next week, Steinway master piano craftsman Sante Auriti has moved his workspace into the window of Midtown’s Steinway Hall at 109 W. 57th St., map.
He’ll be working in the window Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 27.
Auriti is fitting braces, legs and the case molding, and rough-carving the rim of a Steinway Louis XV (Model 501A) grand piano. Earlier this week he appeared to be gluing the case moldings on and clamping them securely.
You can find out more on Steinway manufacturing at the company’s website. Also see the New York Times’ series “Invention for 900 Hands” by James Barron, which was later published as the book ““Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand”.
There’s also a movie: “Note By Note: The Making of Steinway L1037.”
Picture credit: Sante Auriti works on a Model 501A “Louis XV” grand. By Sam Meyer. See the full photo set on Flickr.
March 20, 2009 7:22 AM in Cheap Stuff, Kids, Midtown, Sightsology
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