When the first notes of the 2013 Cleveland International Piano Competition are played in Gartner Auditorium this summer, audience members will be treated to one of the most sublime sounds in the world of musical instruments: the Steinway concert grand piano. Those in attendance can relax, knowing that the quality of sound will remain the same throughout the Competition, as Steinway has once again committed to being the official piano of the CIPC.
This year CIPC Executive Director Pierre van der Westhuizen will travel to Steinway’s showroom in New York to personally select two pianos destined for Gartner’s stage. He will choose one built in the company’s New York production facility, and another built in the Hamburg, Germany facility.
Van der Westhuizen confesses to being more than a little excited by the task. “Steinway will close a large section of their showroom to give me time to play each of the pianos they have available,” he said. “I feel a little like a kid being let loose in a toy store!”
In addition to providing the pianos, Steinway has offered a recording contract on its own label as part of the package being presented to the first prize winner. The disc will be distributed through Arkiv Music, one of the largest distributors in the world. The contract is valued at $40,000.