partnering with
Cedarville University & Dr. John Mortensen
The Piano
– Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano #270927 –
Steinway & Sons Grand Pianos built during the ‘golden era’ of piano manufacturing are some of the finest musical instruments ever crafted. This period of high quality and true innovation saw the perfection of what we consider to be the modern concert grand piano. The finest craftsmen working with the best materials combined to create pianos that continue to give life and vitality to music. Many artists and professional musicians continue to prefer these historic Steinways – even over newly built pianos.
Several Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grand Pianos awaiting evaluation in the Chupp’s Piano Service Rebuilding Facility
Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grand Piano #270927 was completed in 1930. Planned and built at the New York Steinway Factory, this instrument ruled concert stages for decades. After experiencing a grand piano of this caliber, it is obvious why over 90% of professional concert artists choose to perform on Steinway Grand Pianos. Steinway Model D Grands are a familiar sight at the top performance venues around the world. This vintage piano came to us in need of a full restoration. Chupp’s Piano Service completely rebuilt this fine concert-level instrument to return it to its rightful status and a like-new condition.
One of the unique features of this 9′ Concert Grand is its specially crafted soundboard made out of fine Western Red Cedar. This gives the piano a unique, deep bass and the tonal power required to fill even the largest concert halls. Replacing the normal spruce soundboard with this specially chosen material results in a piano with an incredibly crisp and beautiful one-of-a-kind sound. The piano underwent a very extensive rebuilding process which included the new custom soundboard, new custom fitted pinblock, new music wire, custom-made bass strings, new highest quality key sticks, new German Renner and Steinway action parts, extensive cosmetic refinishing, and much more. Concert action and tone regulation were performed to ensure the most responsive touch and quality of tone possible. Fully rebuilt and refinished, this historic Steinway piano took its spot next to several other restored Model D Grands in our shop, awaiting its next assignment.
Cedarville University
In early 2016, Dr. John Mortensen of Cedarville University got in contact with us. As a Professor of Music at the Ohio-based University, Dr. Mortensen oversees a fleet of over 60 pianos. He was searching for fine Steinway pianos for the school’s practice rooms and a new concert-level Model D worthy of the campus’ high-level performance hall. John visited with us multiple times at our Rebuilding Facility and Showroom to evaluate the quality of our piano rebuilding work. Only the finest pianos would be suitable and only the finest craftsmanship accepted. We worked with him to ensure the University received pianos that fit the institution’s specific needs.
In the end, he selected a rare fully rebuilt Steinway Model C and a fully rebuilt Steinway Model L for office/practice room use. Choosing the all-important concert grand was a difficult decision. After evaluating each Steinway Concert Grand and narrowing his search, he selected Steinway & Sons Model D #270927 for Cedarville’s Dixon Ministry Center Recital Hall. He also purchased a fully rebuilt Steinway Model A-3 Grand Piano for his personal home use. Chupp’s Piano Service is very pleased to be able to provide the students and faculty at Cedarville University with the fine pianos necessary to inspire further musical growth and inspiration. These restored Steinway pianos are sure to serve the school well for decades to come.
Today, Steinway & Sons Model D Grand Piano #270927 continues to grace the University’s Recital Hall stage.
A nearly century-old instrument giving new life to music and music education.
“The Steinway is the finest piano in the world, deserving not only elite artists to play it but also elite technicians to care for it. Dennis Chupp is just such a craftsman. A Master Technician trained at the Steinway Factory in New York, he received personal coaching from former Steinway head Service Technician Fred Drasche and has collaborated with the nation’s leaders in the field of piano technology. His company, Chupp’s Piano Service, specializes in re-manufacturing and repair of vintage pianos, bringing glorious new life to instruments which had fallen silent through the ravages of age, damage and neglect.
He obsesses over each step of this labor-intensive, old-world process of transformation, patiently perfecting every last detail of the soundboard, pinblock, action, strings and of course, stunning woodwork and finish. The result is a re-born piano of warmth, resonance, and power. A Steinway rebuilt by Chupp’s Piano Service is worthy of the world’s greatest artists and most prestigious stages.
But above all, it is worthy of the name Steinway.”
– Dr. John Mortensen – Steinway Artist
About John Mortensen
Dr. John Mortensen, Steinway Artist
John Mortensen enjoys an unusually broad career as a performer and teacher of classical and jazz piano. His concerts often begin with masterpieces of the classical repertoire before venturing into jazz improvisation or his original compositions. He appears frequently as a concert artist and master class teacher at colleges and universities nationwide. He is committed to educating young musicians for the 21st century and places special emphasis on developing courses that bring improvisation back to the standard college music curriculum.
Mortensen studied with Lynne Bartholomew at the University of Michigan and Anne Koscielny and Raymond Hanson at the University of Maryland, receiving his doctorate in piano performance from the latter. He holds National Certification in Piano through the Music Teacher’s National Association, is endorsed as an Ohio Artist on Tour through the Ohio Arts Council, and was recently recognized as an Excellence in Education honoree by the Ohio State Senate. In 2015 he was selected for the Fulbright Specialist Roster by the U.S. Department of State.
Over the next five years, the Fulbright Specialist program will sponsor him to perform and teach at universities internationally. A Steinway Artist, he now serves as artist faculty at the Masterworks Festival and Professor of Piano at Cedarville University. In 2016 he was named Faculty Scholar of the Year, that institution’s highest award.
[Visit his website]
Chupp’s Piano Service | Specializing in Restored Steinway Grand Pianos | Premium Quality Since 1975