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| Steinway "Fibonacci" model D concert grand. Price US$2.4 million |
STEINWAY & SONS, manufacturer of the world’s finest pianos, today unveiled the company’s 600,000th piano, stunningly designed by master artisan, Frank Pollaro. Handcrafted using natural Macassar ebony, the end result is a feat of artistry, engineering and precision that celebrates this milestone for STEINWAY & SONS and demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to uncompromising craftsmanship.
Named "The Fibonacci," the piano’s veneer features the iconic Fibonacci spiral made entirely from six individual logs of Macassar Ebony, creating a fluid design that represents the geometric harmony found in nature. The lines of The Fibonacci spiral on the top of the piano’s lid are projected down to its unique curved base. Synthetic ivory inlay adds a breathtaking effect to the design, which also features unique patinated bronze details. In the end, over 6,000 hours of work over a four-year period were devoted to the creation of The Fibonacci, from design to finish. The superior craftsmanship of the piano’s exterior is matched only by the unparalleled craftsmanship that is at the very core of all STEINWAY & SONS pianos.
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| The "Fibonacci" spiral lid |
According to Frank Pollaro, "Designing STEINWAY & SONS’ 600,000th piano was an honour and a challenge. To me, knowing that this piano would become part of history meant that it had to be more than just a beautiful design, but also needed to visually convey a deeper message." Pollaro added, "As I considered the number 600,000, the Fibonacci spiral came to mind. The way in which it continues to grow but stay true to its form is very much like STEINWAY & SONS over these many years. Combining the universal languages of music and mathematics suddenly made perfect sense."
"STEINWAY & SONS has a long tradition of world-class craftsmanship, so as we began planning the 600,000th piano, it quickly became apparent that Frank Pollaro was the artist we needed for creative design and perfect execution. His ability to create unforgettable images through woodwork demonstrates artistry at the highest level, something that spoke to the very core of what this company is all about," stated Darren Marshall, Chief Marketing Officer of STEINWAY & SONS. Adding, "The Fibonacci spiral is a representation of perfect proportions and natural beauty. Without a doubt, Frank captured those qualities in this piano, creating a work of art for the eyes and the ears."
The Fibonacci is destined to become an important piece of cultural history, taking its place of honour amongst previous milestone models that the company has created. The 100,000th was originally given to the United States White House and is now part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., while the 300,000 piano currently resides in the East Room of the White House.
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At a ceremony on December 10, 1938, this grand piano was presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the White House by Mr. Theodore Steinway, on behalf of the Steinway family. The 300,000th Steinway piano in the East Room, it was built to replace another Steinway at the White House - #100,000, a gilded and painted grand piano which had been given in 1903 (now on exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution). |
In April (2015) The Fibonacci was previewed during a special VIP reception at STEINWAY & SONS’ new showroom in Beverly Hills, where the internationally celebrated STEINWAY ARTIST, Lang Lang, had the honour of being the first artist to perform on the piano. This June The Fibonacci will travel to the United Kingdom, where it will be showcased at the 2015 Masterpiece London art fair.
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| Front view |
The Fibonacci is a STEINWAY & SONS Model D piano, nine foot concert grand, priced at $2.4 million. In addition to the original 600,000th version, STEINWAY & SONS will create up to six exclusive, limited edition Model B pianos (6’10.5") inspired by the same design.
For more information about The Fibonacci, please contact Laura Seele at +1 (646)356–3960
About Frank Pollaro
As a young man, Frank Pollaro became interested in the master works of furniture designer Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. He fell in love with the way Ruhlmann used ivory as an embellishment against rich, dark wood backgrounds. Fascinated by the natural colours and textures of exotic woods, he began to collect solid wood and veneer from all corners of the world, a passion that he has continued for more than 30 years. His collection currently contains over 80 species and the largest collection of rare woods in private hands.
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| Designer Frank Pollaro with Steinway model D "Fibonacci" |
Twenty-seven years after founding Pollaro Custom Furniture, Frank’s work continues to win critical acclaim from leading collectors, designers and architects, who consider a Pollaro piece to be the crown jewel of their interiors. Additionally, his furniture has won numerous awards for both design and craftsmanship. Today, Frank and his team are considered the finest furniture makers in the world. Capable of replicating skills of a century ago, they are also masters of cutting edge materials and techniques.
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| The Pollaro signature on fallboard |
In addition to the pursuit of challenging commissions, Frank also actively preserves his craft through teaching at leading furniture making programs throughout the country. For more information, visit www.pollaro.com.
About STEINWAY & SONS
Since its founding in New York in 1853, STEINWAY & SONS has been considered the world's premier piano manufacturer. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship, STEINWAY & SONS pianos are built in one of two company-owned and operated factories: Astoria, New York and Hamburg, Germany. STEINWAY & SONS pianos are still constructed primarily by hand, using many of the techniques developed over 160 years ago. Today, STEINWAY & SONS also offers the Boston and Essex piano lines, Listen, a magazine for music and culture lovers, and the STEINWAY & SONS record label. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.
Press Contact:
Anthony Gilroy
Director, Marketing & Communications
STEINWAY & SONS
+1 (718) 204-3116
agilroy@steinway.com
Text, 2015, courtesy Steinway and Sons
Photos courtesy Classic FM, United Kingdom
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