Fifteenth Van Cliburn Piano Competition

  With the site of three Steinways lined up on the Bass Performance Hall stage, it all begins again. The contestants in one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world begin by selecting the piano that they will use in their performances. The options are two pianos made in the Hamburg factory and one constructed in New York. For those in the know the sounds are distinct and those playing can certainly feel the differences. Some of it is personal preference but in a competition like this every little bit counts. Good luck to all of the pianists in the Fifteenth Van Cliburn Piano Competition over the next couple of weeks.

Rachel Cheung tries out the New York Steinway.