Ethelbert Nevin’s Narcissus on 1860 Steinway square piano, Artis Wodehouse pianist

Artis Wodehouse plays Ethelbert Nevin’s iconic salon piano solo, Narcissus on her 1860 Steinway square piano at her NY studio on 2/10/22. During the 19th century, the market for square pianos was especially strong in the United States. Wodehouse’s restored instrument is one of the earlier and smallest of Steinway’s squares. It has a distinctive sound quite different from that of an upright or grand piano. Squares built in the USA grew to enormous size and weight, but by 1900 had become outmoded. Nevertheless, many remained in service throughout the early 20th C. Narcissus is Ethelbert Nevin’s (1862-1901) most popular composition. Born in Pennsylvania, Nevin wrote a large body of light piano music that was especially favoured for both entertainment and as teaching pieces during the heyday of the piano in the USA, from the 19h century through WWI. For more information about Nevin, see: