Recognized by professionals worldwide for quality and integrity Yamaha pianos hold an enviable reputation around the world for consistently high quality, trouble-free durability and superior musical performance. Professional performing artists rely on Yamaha grand pianos for recording, composition and concert appearances. The late Sviatoslav Richter (shown at right) played on Yamaha pianos for more than 25 years. Piano competitions, music festivals and other performing arts venues across the globe make extensive use of Yamaha pianos—one of very few brands to be so honored. Schools, conservatories and piano instructors have long made Yamaha upright and grand pianos a top pick for music education. Professional piano tuners and technicians consistently select Yamaha when asked to recommend instruments to their clients. In fact, the Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano was played by Denis Matsuev and Ayako Uehara, first-prize winners of the 11th and 12th International Tchaikovsky Competition, respectively. And knowledgeable music-lovers have bought Yamaha pianos more often than any other brand. This worldwide recognition and professional acceptance provides you with an added measure of confidence when buying a Yamaha piano—the security of Yamaha's long-standing reputation for quality, integrity and value. © 2006, Yamaha Corporation, Japan