View Real Video - Click On Desired Bandwidth
Watch this story
How would you like to play a piano that has been built for and played by some of the world's best musicians?
Well, you can. And it's free!
Abravanel Hall ? the large crowd is coming in to the lobby, to hear famous musicians?
Nope! Famous pianos. Five Steinway concert grand pianos.
How famous? One was made in 1940 for music legend Vladimir Horowitz.
Orem music teacher Krista Christensen had a chance to play it.
Is it neat to play something built for someone so famous?
"It is," she answered. "It's kind of cool to have somebody so good and play on their instruments, and feel what they were able to play."
Krista is one of thousands who have come to play these pianos.
One was owned by Van Cliburn. Next to that, another Steinway grand, with a blue artdeco style.
And this one, the 500,000th Steinway made ? and look at the detail of hand-engraved signatures of 800 Steinway artists.
During the Olympic Arts festival, the public can come in and play anything they want.
Twelve-year-old Mike Stewart, who started playing piano when he was four, liked the feel of Van Cliburn's piano.
"It feels more firm, a lighter touch than ones I've played on," Stewart says.
You'll see a lot of talented players if you stop by. Some play it soft.Others, really bang it out!
Rick Mortensen sat down at another Steinway that's here, rather loud and unusual. Ever seen a lime green piano, with yellow and orange keys?
What does he think of bringing in some famous pianos, and letting people bang on them.
"I think it's good. It's hands on, it's not like, 'Don't touch.' It's like, 'Go ahead and touch.' It's fun," he says.
And, when everybody's touching the keyboards at the same time, it'll get a little noisy. But with Steinway Concert Grand pianos, what a beautiful noise it is.
Again, this is free. Hours are from 1 to 4 pm daily, through next Sunday. By the way, we did not hear anyone play Chopstix while we were there.