Steinway Parlor “M” Grand Piano (1915 – Present)

Elizabeth “Granny” Worden (1906 – 1993)

Elizabeth Stern was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 25th, 1906.  Her family was a part of the upper class society of the time with her father in the baking business, later to be acquired by Continental Baking.  He was the inspiration and creator of what is known today as “Wonder Bread.”  Elizabeth did not like the fluffy white bread and always insisted that her nanny make homemade bread instead.  Elizabeth loved the arts, especially classical music and operas.  She hoped to someday be an opera star and worked towards that goal from an early age.

On her 9th birthday her father gave her a Steinway Grand Piano.  At the time, the Steinway grand pianos were made in five different sizes starting with the Concert Grand at 12 feet and going down to the Baby Grand at only three feet in length.  Elizabeth’s was an “M” model of their Parlor Grand Pianos, at just over five feet in length.  Elizabeth loved this piano and although she never became completely proficient at it, it remained with her until her death at the age of 87.

Over the years the piano was played by many of the greatest pianists of that time especially after moving to Aspen in the early 1950’s.  Elizabeth played host to many of the visiting musicians that came to Aspen every summer for the Aspen Music Festival and School.  Her parties were legendary with the likes of Bert Bacharach, Glen Yarbrough, Yitzhak Pearlman, Ursula Oppens and even Micha & Cipa Dichter. 

As a young boy I always loved that Piano.  I played it every time I went up Red Mountain to visit her and as the years went by I had dreams of learning to play the piano.  To this day the dreams have gone un-fulfilled but there is still time.

Upon Elizabeth’s passing I was given the piano by my mother.  It is my hope to one day pass the piano on to one of my children.  In 2015, I plan to celebrate the Piano’s 100th birthday by having it completely reconditioned in preparation for its next 100 years.  It will be a big undertaking and costly but that is a small price to pay to have such a wonderful piano.

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