ASTORIA, NY (April 4, 2018) – Steinway & Sons, makers of the finest pianos in the world, announces the opening of a new Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai. This new facility, located at the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, becomes Steinway’s third-largest global operating center after New York and Hamburg. China has become an increasingly important market for Steinway’s global development, and the new Shanghai location follows the opening in 2017 of Steinway Hall Beijing, a music hall and retail location serving music lovers and professional artists.
The new Asia Pacific headquarters was opened the same month Steinway & Sons celebrated its 165th anniversary. The company was founded in March 1853 in New York City.
At over 6,300 square meters, the new Shanghai building’s stunning exterior design follows the curve of a Steinway Model D concert grand. The architecture expresses the artistic craftsmanship of a Steinway piano while highlighting Steinway’s elegant classical style.
At the grand opening ceremony on March 31, Ron Losby, Steinway CEO, and Benjamin Steiner, Steinway CFO and COO, joined Werner Husmann, Honorary Chairman of Steinway Asia Pacific and Wei Wei, President of Steinway Asia Pacific, in delivering remarks regarding Steinway’s long history and focus on continued innovation.
Also in attendance to witness another milestone in Steinway’s global development was Sean B. Stein, Consul General of the United States in Shanghai, and Steinway Artist Lang Lang, who performed along with three extraordinary young Chinese pianists. The three children soloed first, highlighting the achievements of Chinese musical education; afterwards, Lang Lang performed with the three young pianists to demonstrate the inheritance of Chinese music. The evening closed with Lang Lang’s performance of Chopin’s “Minute Waltz” on Steinway Spirio, the world’s finest high resolution player piano.
“Chinese music lovers, appreciators, and artists will share with Steinway the unparalleled artistic experience brought by music.”
“We choose Shanghai as the Steinway Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters, and the first stop in Asia Pacific to celebrate Steinway’s 165th Anniversary, because China is always one of the most important markets for Steinway’s global presence,” said Losby. “It fully demonstrates our confidence in the Chinese market and our focus on the development of Chinese music, art, and culture. We firmly believe that on this mysterious and attractive oriental land, more and more Chinese music lovers, appreciators, and artists will share with Steinway the unparalleled artistic experience brought by music. Steinway will also bring the most important innovative products and the most wonderful artistic pieces to Chinese music lovers.”
Following the Shanghai premiere, a series of events will now take place throughout 40 major cities in Asia to create a feast of music and art, and to further celebrate Steinway’s 165th Anniversary.
About STEINWAY & SONS
Since 1853, Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value. Because of a dedication to continuous improvement, today’s Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.
Press Contact:
Anthony Gilroy
Steinway & Sons
agilroy@steinway.com
+1 718.204.3116
