The 10 Most Expensive Pianos in the World and the Stories Behind Their Extraordinary Value
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Some pianos are valued for their sound, others for the history attached to them. In rare cases, both factors combine to turn an instrument into a cultural artifact worth millions. From the transparent grand played during the 2008 Beijing Olympics to the modest upright used by John Lennon to write “Imagine,” these pianos carry stories that extend far beyond the concert hall. The following list looks at ten of the most expensive pianos ever recorded and explains how design, history, rarity, and cultural impact shaped their remarkable value.
10. Fazioli Gold Leaf Piano — $450,000
The Fazioli Gold Leaf piano combines the precision of Italian piano building with a visual design covered in 24 karat gold leaf. Fazioli is known for producing some of the most technically refined grand pianos used in modern concert halls. In this model, the decorative gold finish transforms the instrument into a luxury object while retaining its performance quality. The price reflects both the brand’s reputation and the unusual finish applied to the piano.
9. Bösendorfer Opus 50 — $750,000
The Bösendorfer Opus 50 was created as a commemorative instrument for the company. The piano includes decorative gold details and refined craftsmanship that highlight the brand’s tradition of concert grand building. Bösendorfer instruments are already known for their rich tone and extended bass range. In the Opus 50, the added decorative elements and limited production raised the value beyond that of standard concert models.
8. Blüthner Lucid EXO — $960,000
The Blüthner Lucid EXO piano uses a transparent acrylic body similar to crystal pianos but incorporates a modern frame structure that exposes the internal mechanics. The concept emphasizes the visual beauty of the instrument’s structure while preserving the sound quality associated with Blüthner pianos. Its high price reflects the engineering challenges involved in building a stable acrylic grand piano and the limited number produced.
7. C. Bechstein Sphinx — $1.2 million
The Bechstein Sphinx piano draws its inspiration from Egyptian imagery. The instrument features decorative carvings and patterns that reference ancient motifs. Building such a piano required both standard piano manufacturing and detailed decorative work. Because few instruments combine traditional piano construction with this level of artistic design, the Sphinx became valuable to collectors who seek unique art case pianos.
6. Schimmel Pegasus — $1.36 million
The Schimmel Pegasus piano was designed by Luigi Colani as a sculptural interpretation of a grand piano. Its curved structure and raised lid make the instrument resemble a piece of modern architecture. Though it remains a fully playable piano, the design required specialized engineering and limited production. The price is driven by its status as a design object that merges musical function with industrial design.
5. John Lennon’s Steinway Model Z — $2.37 million
This Steinway Model Z became famous because John Lennon used it to compose and record the song “Imagine.” The piano itself is modest compared to concert grands, yet its place in music history changed its value completely. When it was later purchased by George Michael, the instrument had already become a symbol connected to one of the most influential songs of the twentieth century. Its price reflects that historical connection rather than technical features.
4. Steinway Fibonacci Piano — $2.4 million
The Steinway Fibonacci piano was designed around the mathematical sequence that appears frequently in nature. The lid and body follow the spiral proportions associated with the Fibonacci pattern, while rare Macassar ebony wood forms the surface of the instrument. Only a very small number were produced, which increased their rarity among collectors and institutions. The price reflects the limited production, the unusual design concept, and the reputation of Steinway concert grands.
3. Steinway “Pictures at an Exhibition” — $2.5 million
Steinway created the “Pictures at an Exhibition” piano as an art case instrument inspired by Modest Mussorgsky’s composition. Artist Paul Wyse spent years painting scenes from the music directly onto the body of the grand piano. The instrument functions as both a concert piano and a visual artwork. Its price comes from the combination of Steinway craftsmanship and the time invested in the detailed painting that transformed the instrument into a collectible piece of art.
2. Casablanca “As Time Goes By” Piano — $3.4 million
The piano from the film Casablanca gained its value from cinema history rather than musical design. It appears in the famous scene where Sam plays “As Time Goes By,” a moment that became one of the most recognizable sequences in film. Because the instrument is tied directly to the legacy of the 1942 movie and its enduring popularity, collectors view it as a piece of cultural history. When it was auctioned decades later, the association with the film turned a simple studio prop into one of the most valuable pianos ever sold.
Note: although valued around $3.4M, some lists place the Heintzman first because it is the most expensive functioning concert piano
1. Heintzman Crystal Piano — $3.22 million
The Heintzman Crystal Piano became famous during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics when Lang Lang performed on its transparent acrylic body before a global audience. The instrument itself was built as a functional concert grand but also as a visual centerpiece, designed to combine performance with spectacle. After the event, its rarity and the historic moment attached to it drove its value to over three million dollars at auction. The price reflects not only the craftsmanship required to build a clear acrylic concert grand but also the cultural significance of its Olympic performance.