Steinway & Sons

They just recently moved here from their former location at Robertson. The new location is still in the vicinity of Robertson but by the corner of Wilshire and Robertson. easily spotted from the street. Parking is a pain but you can use the valet service from Buco Ristorante which located behind the building and it’s only $ 5 (BTW, the restaurant is excellent, give it a try). We attended a special event given by the LA Phil, a concert by the concertmaster Martin Chalifour and pianist Jean Yves Thibaudet. After the wine and appetizer reception, we went to the auditorium. The auditorium is bigger than the one on their Pasadena showroom and more appropriately set up. The concert was intimate and excellent. The pianos display outside are mostly the vintage Steinways and a custom made red Steinway. Also displayed are Essex and Boston pianos, the budget version of Steinway, which mean the mechanism are by Steinway of based on one but they are made in Korea or China. Still within $ 20 000 price range. Their new Steinways are displayed in separate climate controlled room. These are the Crown Jewels of pianos, same price range of a Maserati or Bentley but justifiably so once you touch the keyboard. I know because I had one myself. Steinways are still made mostly by hand. Staffed by very cordial and knowledgable staffs. For more about Steinway you can see the documentary «Note by Note, the making of a Steinway» It will make you appreciate the craftsmanship poured into this instrument of the gods.