The Steinway Hunter: A Memoir

I spent a few minutes with the author on the phone recently. In our short conversation, I heard a number of wonderful stories of pianos and their owners. When I thanked him for his time, he suggested this book. Every story in this book has a lesson readers can glean. Often we say that music can touch souls, but this book reminds us that the instrument which provides the music is just as a part of the process as the musician. I recommend this easy read for anybody who needs to remember the power of music and instruments, and to remember how they both bring us together.

Thank you, Robert, for sharing your experiences with us! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written in a short story format where Robert reports on some of his most memorable experiences during his travels to buy or "hunt" Steinway pianos. We learn about Robert's training as a technician and how he later developed his piano wholesale business. We also gain insight into his family life. The book is not only a great read for piano enthusiasts or fans of the Steinway brand but should also be appreciated by a much broader audience. In his authentic style, Robert teaches us the values of hard work, building positive relationships, and treating people with respect, among other great lessons.

Fantastic read

If you love the Musical Arts especially Steinway Piano's, this is a must read. This book is full of historical details and Roberts' never-ending quest to make sure Steinway Piano's remain in todays world marketplace as well as his personal history behind many of them in public places today.

Lost in thrall to a shortened attention-span, engendered by computers etc., I was unable to read any book cover to cover. This book restored my crippled ability. The subject matter was engaging - I have a family heirloom Steinway to sell - but more than that, the clarity, sincerity and directness of the writing style compelled and sustained my interest. If Hemingway had been in the Steinway business, this is the memoir he might have written. Highest marks...

Here we have a great chronicle of unique anecdotes that any piano or music lover will savor for time to come. Full of amazing stories about the greatest piano maker in history written what seems to be possibly the greatest "deal maker" in Steinway history. I particularly enjoyed the anecdote (pg 46) about a rebuilt piano sold to a man near the Hudson who invited the author to attend the christening of the piano .... only to decline the buyers invitation and find out later that it was a private party attended by Vladimir Horowitz who gave the beautiful instrument its first recital in a small private setting. What any piano lover would have given to have been there !!Wow! Many more amazing stories like that one. Can't wait for volume two!

...most interesting how Bob came to specialize in Steinway's and the stories of the various people he met along the way, were most interesting... having dealt with descriptions people give over the phone and what one actually finds when getting to a job, are usually two different things, I found in the painting and decorating business, so I can appreciate some of the surprises he went through. I actually refinished a parlor grand, once in my lifetime and found it most satisfying, only the case... We have a Steinway at church and it is tuned on a regular bases and I keep the case polished as necessary. I really enjoyed reading your book Bob. Richard Hersee, Jensen Beach, Fl... Best to Ronnie

Beyond the enjoyment of reading the piano adventures Mr. Friedman so cheerfully and light-heartedly evokes in STEINWAY HUNTER, this book will become a treasure for generations. As electronic and digital pianos take an ever increasing market share, and as hand-carved art case pianos become a thing of the past and hand-crafted piano in general lose their market share, learning about the love and dedication this author invested - aside from the miles he drove - in preserving common and unique treasures alike simply is heart warming. Is there a "Steinway Hall of Fame?"