The most famous Steinway piano ever comes to KC!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to play the most celebrated piano of the 20th century! Legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz owned several Steinway pianos during his long life, but Steinway CD #503 was his favorite. Now Horowitz’s historic Concert Grand Steinway & Sons piano will be available for students, teachers, and all Steinway-lovers to actually see, touch and play for FREE!
The Horowitz Steinway will be available during regular business hours from Saturday, July 6 – Thursday, July 11. Join us for a special event, “A Morning with Vladimir Horowitz’s Steinway” on Saturday, July 6th from 9 AM to 12 PM!
• 9am – 10am: Play Horowitz’s Steinway Concert Grand, and get your certificate and picture taken at the piano!
• 10am – 10:30am: A peek at Horowitz’s life, career, and association with Steinway & Sons. Enjoy seldom heard stories and anecdotes by noted Steinway speaker and store manager, Harry Reed.
• 10:30am – 12pm: Play Horowitz’s Steinway!
Contact your Schmitt Music Piano Specialist to reserve your spot! Click here to visit our Specialists page, call 913-663-4756 or email us today!
Horowitz, a Steinway Artist Immortal, is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. His colorful personality and astounding performances enthralled audiences for decades.
Early in 1934, as a wedding present, Steinway & Sons presented Horowitz and his wife Wanda with a Steinway Model D, Serial #279503. In the early 1940’s, this piano was replaced with #314503, now known simply as CD 503. This is the piano Horowitz kept in his New York townhouse. He used it in many recitals and recordings in the 70’s and 80’s, and he famously demanded that the piano be his exclusive touring instrument during the last four years of his life, including for his triumphant return to the former Soviet Union for performances in Moscow and Leningrad in 1986. A waterproof case was built to transport it! Horowitz died on Sunday, November 5, 1989 – just four days after concluding his last recording session.
We invite you to reserve time slots to play the Horowitz Steinway during regular Schmitt Music Kansas City store hours. Please call 913-663-4756 or 800-734-3447 or email us to schedule a playing time. Or contact us through our Piano Specialists page – click here.
The Schmitt Music Kansas City Staff,
Blair Penney
Harry Reed
Mike Vaccaro
Steinway Artist Steven Spooner in Concert – FREE!
Don’t miss a free performance by Steinway Artist Steven Spooner on Thursday, July 11 at 7:00 PM. Spooner will perform “A Horowitz Recital, 2.0” on the Horowitz Steinway piano! Click here to learn more and RSVP today.
Thank you for the invitation to see, play, and hear the Horowitz Steinway. We will be out of the state during these days, but appreciate being sent this invitation. Our Steinway “B” is number 264579 and so these two instruments are of the same era. We have owned ours since 1968, we being the second owners. When we heard that this piano was for sale by that first owner, we scrambled over to see if we could purchase it. To our horror we were told that it had just been sold to a fraternity in Emporia, Kansas. We told our friend that this transaction must not happen, and we were most fortunate that he changed his mind and sold it to us! When moving from Emporia to Topeka in 2005, our Steinway played an important role in the house we purchased. I made a template of the piano, took it as we looked at houses, and settled on a home with the perfect place, an inside wall. It continues to give much enjoyment.
Thank you again,
Paul A. Moore
Emeritus Music Faculty
Emporia State University