School of Music and University Musical Society to Host the Steinway “Peace” Piano

January 2006

Two School of Music and UMS events will showcase a special piano, the Steinway “Peace” Piano.  Fresh on arrival from its Asia Tour, the Steinway Peace Piano has been making a two-year world tour in support of children’s charities around the world.  At 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, at Rackham Auditorium, the Michigan Chamber Players will perform using the Peace Piano in the second of two UMS co-sponsored concerts for the academic year   On Monday night at 8 p.m., also in Rackham Auditorium, Piano Department performance majors will present a variety of solo and chamber works as well.  Both concerts are free and open to the public.

The Steinway Peace Piano marks the culmination of Steinway & Sons' 150th anniversary celebration. It is a re-creation of a historic Steinway concert grand piano that was first exhibited at the New York World's Fair in 1939. The original piano, designed by Walter Dorwin Teague, the renowned art deco designer from the early 20th century, is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The design of the Steinway Peace Piano is, however, slightly different from its predecessor. In keeping with the theme of peace, on the case of the piano, right above each leg, in place of a golden eagle, is a hand carved Dove grasping an olive branch. The lower apron of the piano, painted gold like the doves, is adorned with 63 stars.

There are 195 flags of the nations of the world applied around the bottom edge of the piano.  The 35 flags across the front of the piano are the developed nations, such as the United States, Great Britain, and other European countries.

"There's no better way to communicate peace and harmony than music", said Bruce Stevens, President and CEO of Steinway & Sons, "Putting the Steinway Peace Piano on a world tour may be the most significant event Steinway & Sons has ever launched."

The presence of the Steinway Peace Piano on the U of M campus signifies the strong historical ties that the School of Music has enjoyed with Steinway.  A performance institution consistently ranked among the top piano schools in the country, the School of Music is among a mere handful of institutions nationally being afforded the privilege of hosting the piano, and the only venue in the state of Michigan.