World-Renowned Pianist Helps Family Shop For Steinway

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Many parents who find themselves shopping for a piano could do worse than have a world-renowned pianist along for the selection process. That is what happened for one family on Thursday during a preview for this weekend's Steinway sales event at the Kimmel Center.

The Steinway Piano is the piano of choice for the vast majority of pianists who perform with major symphony orchestras including Susan Starr.

Starr made her performance debut at the age of six with the Philadelphia Orchestra. She graduated from Curtis in the early 1960's and for decades has appeared with major orchestras of the world. She also teaches privately at her Center City studio.

She was helping the family of a 13-year-old boy choose a piano for their home. And after sampling more than six of the 50 pianos on display, she gravitated toward a 7-foot 'B' model.

"It was a bigger, rounder, reasonant sound. It doesn't shriek. It doesn't have a chihuahua sound," Starr said.

"She likes to have a piano that really stands out, that has an attack to it," explained Greg Sikora, a concert technician for the Kimmel Center.

Mark Love, Jacobs Music Senior Vice President, says pianos like their Steinways are multi-generation investments for student-families.

"They want to make the right choice. An artist of the stature of Susan Starr provides an additional level of comfort in making that choice," Love said.

And the family will soon have a $90,000 Steinway in their home.

Reported by Steve Tawa, KYW Newsradio 1060