<div dir="ltr"><div>David, I have one more question to add to your list. The site also says this: </div> <div><font size="5">This rare, red piano - of which only two exist in the entire world - will be auctioned off and 100% of the winning bid less $75,000 will be donated to the <font color="#ff0000">American Red Cross China Earthquake Relief Fund</font>.</font><br> </div> <div>Where does that $75,000.00 go? Lang Lang? S & S? Hmmm. </div> <div><br>Avery Todd</div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid"> <div bgcolor="#ffffff"> <blockquote style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">I labeled this as OT because the feelings brewing within me have no more to do with pianos than they have to do with the morality of the color Red.    For example, things like: <br> <br>What's the current cost of a new Ebony Concert Department D?  <br>What's the value of that same piano after Lang Lang plays it once in Central Park (or anywhere else?)<br>That same piano, in Red?<br>That same piano, if refinished in ebony?<br> What else can Steinway do with a Red piano?<br>What would someone who has that kind of money need with  a Red Steinway D?  Would they need to redecorate?<br>Would they a) refinish the piano in ebony? or b) Donate the money AND the piano to China (Red Cross, actually) ?<br> Where is the OTHER Red piano, its mate, and should they be separated?<br>Should Steinway donate the piano to China?<br>Should some of our wealthier chapters consider bidding?<br><br>From Ebay site:<br> <blockquote type="cite"><font size="4">Lang Lang , the world renowned concert pianist, has partnered with Steinway to donate the net proceeds from the sale of this piano played during the free concert with the New York Philharmonic in New York's Central Park, July 15th, 2008. </font></blockquote> <br>What does this mean?  Does Lang Lang usually retain money from sale of Steinway pianos he has played?  <br>Has Steinway come up with a new variant of the 'institutional" sale?  After every Lang Lang performance, they auction off the piano?  I think I've got something here.<br> <br>Obviously, Sydney-inspired sleep depravation has taken its toll.  My apologies.<br><br><br>David Skolnik<br>Hastings on Hudson, NY<br><br><br></blockquote></div></blockquote></div><br></div>