Is Steinway a "piano mafia' in the U.S.?

[billinrio]

I've just been listening to Garrick Ohlsson's recording (on Telarc) of the Busoni concerto, and have done some searching on the internet to learn more about him.  I came across the following remark:

"Actually, the reason Ohlsson's career - while very respectable - never reached the heights it deserved dates from the 1970s. At a New York concert, he was given an unacceptably bad piano by Steinway - and chose to use a Bosendorfer. From then on, he often chose non-Steinway pianos when available, and made several comments negative about Steinway in the press. This was probably not too wise on Ohlsson's part - but he was young and not experienced at that time. (Anyone who's worked in the piano world knows how the "Steinway mafia" controls the piano music scene - at least in the United States.)

Although he's toned down his anti-Steinway rhetoric, and uses their pianos sometimes, Ohlsson still frequently uses pianos from various manufacturers: Bosendorfer, Fazioli, and my favorite, the Mason & Hamlin...."

This is remarkable.  I wonder if this is true, or rather, I wonder if it's true that Steinway has this kind of chokehold on the classical piano scene in the United States. 

Any comments?

[m1469]

I turned pages for Garrick Ohlsson a number of years ago and he was ultra polite.  And, would you like to know what he did?  After his last piece, as he was receiving his applause for the whole recital, he took a bow and then turned sideways and genuinely acknowledged me while everybody was still applauding, as though I deserved some of that applause, as well, and it was such an obvious acknowledgement from him that I had to smile and give the audience a little nod.  A one a of a kind gesture.  He also made very sure I was invited to the party afterwards.  It all felt very genuine, too.  I know, it has nothing to do with what you are asking, but he will forever be a supreme gentleman in my world.

[zezhyrule]

That is so cool m1469 

I haven't played around on enough Steinways to form an opinion, but my local college has a very nice Bosendorfer which I love~

[m1469]

That is so cool m1469 

Yeah, to me (and the point is), he is a very cool person no matter what .