James Barron in the New York Times (October 6, 2003), continues his series on the manufacture of a single grand piano. He explains that "One of Steinway's many traditions is an oral one: instructions are handed down in a variety of languages, with English often second to German, Italian, Spanish or, lately, Serbian. That is because Steinway's work force has changed along with New York.

For generations after its founding in 1853, Steinway hired German, Austrian, Irish and Italian immigrants. By the 1980's, job applications reflected the influx of immigrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republican. Haitians now account for the largest single group of immigrants at the factory, 17 percent of the work force. Dominicans make up 4 percent."

For additional information from the Loper website about grand pianos and a listing of the articles in this series, please see A Piano in the Parlor.

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