Description

At Steinway every piano is a masterpiece
For many the Steinway name is synonymous with the piano – and for good reason, as ever since Henry E.
Steinway and his sons founded their company in New York in 1853, Steinway & Sons has produced firstclass pianos, every one of which is a masterpiece with character. Thanks to their passion for innovation
and unfailing attention to detail, today Steinway is considered the founder of modern piano manufacturing.

Promoting a new generation of pianists
Steinway & Sons is committed to promoting young pianists and supports them through the Steinway Prizewinner Concert Network. Although many young musicians have a great deal of talent and flair, they mostly remain unknown in the music world. This is where Steinway comes into play: Highly talented musicians are selected in first-class piano competitions and are given the opportunity to introduce themselves to a broad audience at international performances.

Emerging talents
Is there anything more exciting than to witness the beginning of a great artist’s career first hand? A laureate chosen by Steinway will travel on the Sea Cloud ii from Portsmouth to Hamburg and play two concerts on board. And high-class musical enjoyment not only awaits you at sea but also during a private concert in the stylish ambiance of a traditional British Club.

Also on board: Ulrich Gerhartz
Born in Hamburg, Ulrich Gerhartz learned the profession of piano maker in the factory of Steinway & Sons, completing his education with the title of Master Piano Maker. During this time, he came to value the philosphy and mission of Steinway & Sons and its founder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg: to build the best possible piano. His first two years he spent in London in the Restoration Centre of the Steinway Hall where he learned to refurbish old Steinway & Sons pianos. In 1992, he transferred to the “Concert” department and was promoted to Director of the Concert & Artists’ Service two years later. He keeps close working relations with the world’s best pianists and worked, for instance, with Alfred Brendel right up to Brendel’s last concert in Vienna. In addition to his work in Great Britain, Ulrich Gerhartz regularly visits the Hamburg factory to choose new pianos and meet with the research departments. Time and again, he also supports pianists during their concerts in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Israel and various European countries and looks after some of the pianos in concert halls all over the world. On board, he will give several entertaining talks on the history and construction of the piano.

Honfleur, paradise for painters
With its colourful fishing boats and soaring timbered houses, Honfleur offers visitors a truly picturesque setting. The enchanting little port is considered the cradle of impressionism – Eugène Boudin, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne met here to paint. In addition to enjoying the abounding art, don’t miss out on Normandy’s culinary masterpieces: cider, calvados and camembert.

Bruges: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Be it English cloth merchants, Hamburg’s moneybags or traders from Castile, trade has been at the heart of life in this Hanseatic city for centuries. Even today there are still great shopping opportunities in the charming medieval old town of Bruges. As you stroll past ramparts, windmills and romantic canals, you will discover all sorts of artistic and culinary delights in the small boutique shops.

Panoramic cruise up the Elbe
The Sea Cloud ii glides slowly up the river Elbe and reaches the port of Hamburg. At her mooring by the
“Überseebrücke”, she is greeted by Hamburg’s new landmark, the “Elbphilharmonie”.