Easily the ultimate gift for any piano-playing Disney superfan, the Steinway x Disney: Mickey Mouse Limited Edition is a true work of art and has just made its European debut at a concert in London.
Originally created to celebrate 100 years of Disney and inspired by the main mouse Mickey himself, the piano showcases how the iconic character was developed and changed over the years. This is the first time Disney and legendary piano manufacturer Steinway have ever collaborated, making this limited-edition piece a particularly special one.
The connection was a simple one to make. While Disney’s characters are known around the world, it is perhaps the soundtracks and scores that feature throughout Disney movies that garner the most renown. This special limited edition piece comes pre-programmed with over 100 songs that chart the last century of Disney’s storytelling. This music library is also set to be continually updated with new arrangements.
The piano also includes Steinway’s signature SPIRIO r technology, pitched as ‘the world’s finest high-resolution player piano capable of live performance capture and high-resolution recording and playback’.
All the stops were pulled out for the big reveal as pianist Lang Lang took to the stage and performed a selection of his favorite Disney songs on the limited edition instrument at a performance in London’s Ladbroke Hall.
“Disney has long been a cherished part of my American heritage, as has Steinway & Sons of course, who I have been working with for over 30 years now,” said managing director of Steinway & Sons UK, Craig Terry. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see these two iconic brands come together to create such a beautifully crafted, joyful piano. We have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of the grand piano and look forward to presenting this exceptional instrument to our customers at our London showroom.”
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Limited to only 25 pianos, each model in this collection is entirely hand-painted. The art itself, which pays tribute to Mickey Mouse, was originally created by Italian artist Elena Salmistraro.
“I’ve been inspired by Mickey Mouse’s lively character, curiosity and joy since I was little,” said Salmistraro. “The piano’s white background represents the sketch board that Mickey Mouse was originally created on years ago while rich and colorful tones give energy to his iconic characteristics. The blue gradient represents the movement of music around him, brought together through the gold rivers to create a symphony of sound.”
Those who find themselves in London and wish to view the limited edition piece can now take a glimpse at Steinway Hall London, in Marylebone. While those looking to take things a step further and purchase their own will find the price available on request.
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