Every four years, Warsaw becomes the luminous heart of the classical piano world. The International Chopin Competition is more than a contest — it’s a global ritual of artistry and endurance. For pianists, it is the Mount Everest of performance; for listeners, it is two weeks of breathtaking musical devotion.
But while the audience follows the fate of each pianist, another drama unfolds behind the music — a quieter rivalry that has nothing to do with interpretation or emotion, and everything to do with sound.
Because in Warsaw, the pianists are not the only ones competing. The pianos themselves are.
For more than a century, Steinway & Sons has defined what it means to build a truly exceptional piano. But in 2025, the brand isn’t just honoring tradition — it’s evolving. At Northwest Pianos, we continue to see how Steinway’s balance of craftsmanship and technology keeps it ahead of the curve in a fast-changing industry.
Over the last few years, acoustic pianos have held the prestige. But the tide is shifting. More musicians, educators, and beginners are turning to digital and hybrid models for their flexibility, technological perks, and lower maintenance demands. According to industry reports, the global piano market is now incorporating “smart integration” and “compact designs” as key drivers for growth. The Business Research Company+2PR Newswire+2
In 2025, one of the most fascinating developments in piano technology is happening at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and musical expression. A research team recently introduced PANDORA, a diffusion-based policy learning framework that enables robotic hands to play piano pieces with precision and expressive nuance. The system uses language models to measure stylistic quality and musicality, blending human emotion with algorithmic accuracy. arXiv
Across the U.S., piano sales have taken a nosedive. A recent CBS News article reported that in 2024, only 17,294 pianos were sold — compared to hundreds of thousands in past decades. CBS News The reason isn’t lack of interest in music; it’s economics, cultural change, and preference shifts. Young people are renting, using digital subscriptions, or choosing digital pianos as introductory tools.
One of the most exciting shifts in the piano world right now is the rise of battery-powered, portable pianos. Instruments like Roland’s GO:PIANO88 show that full-sized keybeds, high-quality sound engines, and wireless operation can coexist. Roland
If you’ve been considering adding a piano to your home, there’s never been a better time than now. More families are looking for ways to enrich their time at home, and music continues to be one of the most rewarding and lasting investments you can make.
Parents often ask: “Is piano really a good activity for my child?” The answer is yes — and not only for musical reasons. Learning piano has been proven to benefit children in multiple ways, from academics to emotional growth.
If you’re in the market for a piano, you’ve probably wondered: Should I buy a digital or an acoustic piano? Both have advantages, and the right choice depends on your needs, space, and goals.
When searching for a piano, one of the first decisions families face is whether to buy new or pre-owned. Both can be excellent options, but it’s important to understand the benefits of each before making your choice.
One of the most common questions we hear at The Piano Place is: “How often should I tune my piano?” While every piano goes out of tune over time, there are ways to extend the life of each tuning and keep your instrument sounding beautiful longer.
The arrival of the Fazioli F308 at The Piano Place in Troy was unforgettable. At over 10 feet long, this Italian-crafted concert grand delivers breathtaking power, clarity, and elegance — brought to life in our showroom by world-famous pianist Lord Vinheteiro.