A custom built Steinway Model D concert grand, autographed by Billy Joel, Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, Herbie Hancock and others is to be auctioned for the Walden Woods Project and American Forests.
The Walden Woods Project is the charity founded by Eagle Don Henley to help preserve the American environmental movement.A fundraiser will be held on October 4th at Christie's in New York. Billy Joel will play the piano during the event. Don Henley and Barbra Nissman will also perform.
Other names who have signed the instrument include Emanuel Ax, Dave Brubeck, Barbra Nissman and Evgeny Kissin.
Steinway and Sons manufactured the piano especially for the auction. According to Kathi Anderson, the Executive Director of the Walden Woods Project "It is made from naturally felled wood from the area surrounding historic Walden Pond in Massachusetts. The marquetry (decorative art using in-laid wood) on the piano depicts the flora and fauna of Walden Woods."
Also, "the piano has a series of plaques surrounding the rim that depict trees and plants that Thoreau wrote about. The legs of the piano are inverted arches that depict Walden Pond with various forms of aquatic life".
The minimum bid for the Waldon Woods Arts Case Piano will start at $500,000.
