a phenomenal instrument, and his recording team captures its every color and dynamic nuance like no one else. --David Vernier  (less)

too, is a revelation, perfectly capturing O'Conor's Hamburg Steinway in the ideal acoustics of Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts. --David Vernier  (less)

Some of the most intriguing results have centered on those flashes of the composer's early maturity from the mid-1820s (as in the Piano Sonatas D. 845 and D. 575), revealing what a wealth of musical innovation and variety Schubert had already explored before the highly revered last trio of sonatas: those in C Minor and A and, of course, the crowning B-flat. Uchida--performing on an exceptionally responsive 1962 Steinway--detonates the bold, high-spirited opening bars of the extroverted Sonata in D (D. 850) with an exuberance of vitality that will make you gasp. It will also lock your attention as you buckle up for the rest of the journey. Uchida is especially at home in those moments when the music seems to float above the pattern...  (less)

the studio without the use of headphones, overdubs or digital effects, these sessions led to a proprietary recording technique called Extended Sound Environment (E.S.E.), which creates a holographic sensation for both surround and stereo recordings. Blue Coast Records and Grammy nominated jazz pianist, Art Lande, have now teamed up to release this extraordinary collection of classic songs and original pieces. The quiet, subtle nature of the recording is a masterful example of key control and pedaling of which every pianist will want to take note. Performed on an 1885 Steinway without the use of studio enhancements like equalization, compression or reverb, the recordings were immediately sought after by audiophile manu...  (less)

an inspiring duet with world renowned pianist Jim Brickman and a brand new wedding song composed by Mary Beth.  (less)

credit for this audiophile recording goes to Orion, of course. Without his musical instincts and ability, the sound would not matter. Orion chose an exquisite piano, with support from Steinway & Sons (New York) and Fields Pianos (Los Angeles), who generously provided C&A piano 599 for this recording. Under the spell cast by Orion's fingers, this instrument provided the transparency, color variety, dynamics and exciting bass to which Michael Fremer refers in his comments. Third, we put the musician and instrument in a concert hall with excellent natural acoustics. The ambiance in this recording comes from the hall itself, from the air, the wooden walls of Zipper Hall in Los Angeles. Thanks to Gearworks Pro A...  (less)

a Steinway, has transcribed some of Waller's best-recorded solos and he reproduces them note-for-note. If you want to hear these splendidly inventive stride piano solos and you can't stand old recordings, here is your chance. But if you're familiar with Waller's originals, you'll quickly hear that as good as Posnak is, he isn't as quick or lively as Waller. These recordings vary in perspective and quality; some of them are rather distant. --Leslie Gerber  (less)

Lennon's "Imagine." Steinway Signature artist Michael Allen Harrison's music is best described as a genre of it's own. His cutting-edge classical-contemporary style carves a distinct niche of timeless music that far exceeds the scales of his Steinway keyboard. As a sought-after producer, composer, and arranger, this well-known concert pianist has been in the music scene for over two decades. Patrick Lamb is an extraordinary performer who combines raw talent and energy with a singular ability to captivate an audience with charm, sincerity, and magnetism. His focus is "old school" R&B and soul, and he combines the influences of funk, soul, R&B, and jazz to create his unique sound.  (less)

heard of this popular work. Kinderszenen is more restrained music, and Kubalek plays it with a narrower range, never risking monotony. The other two pieces are late Schumann; Song of Dawn is his last completed piano work. These two are beautifully played. The sound of Kubalek's Hamburg Steinway in the beautiful space of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is a further virtue of this fine CD. --Leslie Gerber  (less)

suspicious to say the least. But read the fine print: the artists used a 1901 Steinway D and a vintage-1905 German clarinet, i.e., this is Brahms on period instruments. Knowing that, one can listen with unalloyed pleasure, struck by the consummate mastery Brahms showed in these end-of-the-line works, and by the feeling that emerges in such a surprising way, as though the composer had finally reached the point where he could confide his innermost regrets and longings to the listener. Klöcker and Tanski serve the music well, in performances of seamless continuity and grace. --Ted Libbey  (less)

composers in 10 different countries; capturing the essence of piano music and its evolution from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven through to Rachmaninov and Gershwin. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or simply a lover of inspiring piano music, Piano Gems & Masterpieces takes you on an enchanting journey through the beauty, romance and power that is the pianoforte. Recorded on a Steinway Grand Piano at the The Great Hall, Dartington, England. Sound engineer: Chris Chudley. Recording & Production: Coombeshead Studios. Cover design by Marcus Podichuk. ABOUT THE ARTIST Pavlina Radoslavova is a Russian-trained concert pianist from Bulgaria. Pavlina first started her musical career at the age of five, under the direction...  (less)

music that later inspired  (less)