Steinway piano damaged in a stage lift accident

The accident happened on Saturday (June 11). The quality piano fell down on the stage moments after it had been picked up by a lift installed under said stage. Camera footage shows a man running onto the stage and desperately trying to save the instrument from falling. He tried his best not to let the piano land on the keyboard, but unfortunately his efforts proved ineffective. The instrument smashed against the stage floor.

The school said the damaged instrument is a Steinway & Sons piano (Model D-274, no. 608591). A commission composed of stage technicians and experts examined the piano on Tuesday. Senior specialist in promotion and shaping the image of the Poznań academy, Malwina Kunc, said that two members of the commission held certificates and diplomas issued by the Steinway & Sons company in Hamburg and by Steinway Academy.

According to the issued expertise, the piano was mechanically functional and kept tuning stability. The experts also said the instrument would need to have its pedals and pins replaced, and paint scratches removed. They added that once the repair has been done, the piano would once again be perfectly fit for playing.

The overall repair cost has been estimated at around 10,000 zlotys.

After the accident, the academy said the piano got damaged "as a result of an unfortunate combination of events". Luckily, no one was hurt. Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań wants to determine exactly what caused the accident.

Malwina Kunc from Poznań academy said a commission was investigating the accident, and that the school would inform about any developments.