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Construction of a smaller keyboard
has begun

Pianist Hilda Huang dreams of a grand piano with narrower keys. To fulfill her wish, the Musical Instrument Fund is having an interchangeable, smaller keyboard built into an existing Steinway grand piano. The green light for this innovative project was given by Frits Schutte, Head of Collections. He took Hilda and her manager, Annie Guo, to Chris Maene’s workshop in Belgium, where our grand piano was assessed, measurements were shared, and Hilda received answers to all her questions.

News
20 May 2026 by Indy de Vries

The Project at a Glance

For musicians with smaller hands, intensive daily practice on a standard keyboard can lead to physical strain. Pianist Hilda Huang submitted a request to the fund for a grand piano with narrower keys. The Musical Instrument Fund is therefore taking a unique step: an interchangeable, smaller keyboard is being built into an existing Steinway grand piano from the collection. This innovative solution not only helps Hilda but will also benefit other pianists in the future.

More about the project

Progress

Donors to the Musical Instrument Fund have already raised a total of €5,550 of the €15,000 needed to complete the modified keyboard. The fund has the resources to cover a large portion of the costs; for the remainder, we are asking for your help. All contributions help us with the construction as well as the costs of organization and transportation. Thank you very much!

to the studio

For the development, the fund is collaborating with Atelier Chris Maene in Belgium, internationally renowned for its expertise in piano building and innovation. The first technical steps were taken during a visit to the workshop. Hilda couldn’t wait to play all the unique instruments there, including a grand piano with an ergonomically curved keyboard and narrower keys (the Maene-Viñoly). The difference was immediately noticeable: playing felt more relaxed and natural.

Hilda plays the "Maene-Viñoly"

ingemeten

The Steinway grand piano from the Musical Instrument Fund underwent extensive testing and evaluation. Together with the experts from Maene, Hilda and Head of Collections Frits Schutte discussed how the instrument could be optimally adjusted without losing sight of its broad versatility for future pianists. They are also examining the technical condition of the grand piano itself to ensure that the instrument will last for many more years.

In order to begin construction of the new keyboard, a decision had to be made regarding the dimensions and the touch weight of the keys. Hilda’s hands were carefully examined to determine their range. There was also a lengthy discussion about the different perspectives of piano builders and how to accommodate Hilda’s specific wishes without deviating from certain standards followed by the builders. This information helps the builders tailor the keyboard optimally to her playing comfort and technique. First and foremost, the keyboard is now being built in Germany!

“Maene and I share the belief that greater variety in pianos—including in key widths—is the way of the future. Innovation and diversity give pianists more room to fully express their talent, artistic expression, and connection to the music. After all, a piano must work in harmony with the pianist to enable the best sound, the greatest playing comfort, and maximum artistic freedom.”

“With this commission, it almost feels as if the Musical Instrument Fund is giving me new superpowers. Thanks to this new keyboard, I can convey my musical ideas and intentions more efficiently, more confidently, and more fully on the piano.” — Hilda Huang

We look forward to sharing the next step in the construction process with you.

Continued: A Steinway Overhaul

Our meeting with Maene revealed that the Steinway grand piano from our collection first needs a thorough overhaul so that the new keyboard can be tuned to an instrument in perfect condition. This entails additional costs, for which we have now launched a fundraising campaign. Read more here.