What's so good about becoming a Steinway Artist?

[chopinrabbitthing]

As I've asked above.
What's so good about it, apart from being able to tell people that you are one. Doesn't it also restrict you from playing other pianos?

[Bob]

Probably something like a steady income or having a network/agent for performances. 

[quantum]

It's good if you like to exclusively play x brand piano.  However, I've heard nasty horror stories of  ***way artists being butchered for playing on a non ***way pianos. 

Personally, I am brand agnostic and will select the best piano available, regardless of the name on the fallboard. 

[iansinclair]

There's one downside: you are, technically, restricted to playing only Steinways (in practice this isn't quite true).  One might suggest that there are worse fates...

On the upside, you have a sponsor.  That helps pay for food.  You are also guaranteed a decent piano to perform on; in most cases you can have your pick of a stable of Steinways (sometimes this isn't feasible; shipping your specific Steinway to East Overshoe, Kansas, for a one night stand is probably not going to happen).  You have an agent and a network of contacts.

I might point out that a number of other major piano brands have taken up the cause, and have similar systems in place which are more or less comparable.

And now for the mandatory disclaimer: the Steinway Artist program was invented by a great great aunt of mine, one Fanny Morris Smith, working together with Steinway and Ignace Paderewski... in her later years arthritis ended her piano playing and concertising career and she turned to raising champion Jersey milk cows!  It is her practice model A which is in my living room today.

[awesom_o]

Since when does Steinway help their artists pay for food?

[awesom_o]

I'm still waiting for an answer from you, Mr Sinclair!

[Bob]

https://www.steinway.com/artists

Relationship.  Steinway scratches the performers back and vice versa.  Both sides make money.

[awesom_o]

I see no mention there of any back-scratching!

[Bob]

What's so good about becoming a Steinway Artist?

...Because it beats the heck out of being a Casio Artist?  You never hear about the Casio Artists.  Where are they?


  Oh....

https://www.casiomusicgear.com/artists

They're probably still getting pictures of all the Casio Artists up on that page.    It takes a while to get professional headshots and things.

[iansinclair]

I'm still waiting for an answer from you, Mr Sinclair!

There was a time when Steinway paid you a stipend -- not, I'll grant you, a very big one, but a stipend.  And in the music world, every little bit helps.  I honestly don't know if they still do that or not.  Whether they do or not, having the agents and contacts helps too; if you are one of the really big names, you probably have your own and don't need that, but it doesn't hurt.