Godparent Jan Lisiecki

The Canadian Jan Lisiecki and Steinway & Sons have a friendship going back more than ten years, which is characterised by deep mutual esteem. The gifted and extremely likeable young pianist was awarded the Leonard Bernstein Award at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in August 2013. He can often be heard playing with various renowned orchestras in the Elbphilharmonie’s Great Hall, where he once also stood in for Murray Perahia, who was unwell. When he was asked if he would be godparent to an Elbphilharmonie grand piano, he did not hesitate in accepting.

Jan Lisiecki was one of the first pianists to play in the Elbphilharmonie even before its opening, during rehearsals held in the still unfinished building. When he returned to the opening concert in the now completed concert hall, he was utterly overwhelmed. “It’s an impressive sensory experience for the audience in every respect: the design, the acoustics, the elegance,” enthuses Lisiecki, “it all comes together to create this incredible centrepiece at the heart of Hamburg.” He admires the numerous lovingly crafted details, produced to the highest standards. It is precisely this wonderful and artistic idea that Steinway embodies. To be the godparent of an Elbphilharmonie grand piano is a great honour for him.