LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steinway & Sons today celebrates the 160th Anniversary of its founding in 1853. To commemorate this milestone, the company will hold celebrations during the month of March at dealer locations throughout the United States as well as other special events over the course of the year. The dealer events will include performances by Steinway Artists, cocktail receptions, screenings of the award-winning Steinway documentary Note by Note and special "Secrets of Steinway" presentations, where guests will learn about the incredible craftsmanship and artistry that has made Steinway & Sons well known as the maker of the world's finest pianos for 160 years.

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One of the major highlights planned as part of the 2013 celebration is the opportunity to take part in events at the only Steinway & Sons factories in the world—in Astoria, New York and in Hamburg, Germany. A unique Steinway New York factory open house with in-depth, interactive tours by the foremen and craftsmen that build the world's best piano will take place on Saturday, June 22 at the famed Astoria factory. Separate V.I.P. tours will be offered for both the press and the general public. A special Steinway Hamburg factory open house tour will take place in the late summer.

Steinway & Sons will also commemorate this milestone with the launch of a very special Limited Edition piano series. A grand piano with the melodic name "Arabesque" has been designed by renowned furniture designer Dakota Jackson, who previously designed a Limited Edition for Steinway & Sons in 2000 to commemorate the 300th birthday of the piano. Dakota Jackson is known for his simple yet inventive approach to design. Piano and art lovers alike can look forward to this elegant, exclusive piano, which will be available in two finishes beginning in fall 2013.

The history of Steinway & Sons is a history of innovation and vision. Founded in Manhattan by German immigrant Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later Anglicized to Henry E. Steinway) in 1853, Steinway & Sons developed the modern piano with revolutionary designs and created 127 patented inventions to perfect the piano-making process. By the turn of the century, the company was crafting thousands of pianos in its Astoria and Hamburg factories, each one created with the finest quality materials and the attention to detail for which the company quickly became known. Today, Steinway & Sons crafts approximately 2,500 pianos a year and is the choice of 97% of piano soloists performing at major venues. In an age where many piano makers have outsourced manufacturing to regions with cheaper labor, Steinway & Sons continues to handcraft its pianos only at its Astoria (Long Island City) and Hamburg factories using many of the same techniques developed by the Steinway family more than a century ago.

"Year after year, the Steinway & Sons brand continues to represent superior quality and craftsmanship," said Ron Losby, President of Steinway & Sons-Americas. "The 160th Anniversary is an opportunity for us to celebrate a milestone and to reflect on our history. We look forward to sharing the Steinway story at special events around the world."

For more information and a full listing of planned events, visit www.steinway.com/160

About Steinway & Sons

Since 1853 Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty and investment value. 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

[email protected]

(718) 204-3116

SOURCE Steinway & Sons