130 years ago, on August 14th 1888, a recording of famed composer Arthur Sullivan’s “The Lost Chord” was played to members of the press at an event in London, England. It is generally accepted that… Read more »
Chopin’s Piano – A Journey Through Romanticism* is a newly published book by conductor, author and biographer Paul Kildea. Books about pianos often explore a particular facet of the instrument—its history, how it works, its… Read more »
In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated large areas of the country’s eastern seaboard. In the north-eastern region of Tohoku, amongst the wreckage of the Miyagi Agricultural High School’s gymnasium, a… Read more »
Two hundred years ago Ludwig van Beethoven received the gift of a Broadwood grand piano. This instrument, now known as Beethoven’s Broadwood, was much loved by the composer and is said to have inspired most… Read more »
On April 6th at Robins Airforce Base (Houston County, Georgia, USA) a rather unattractive upright piano was ceremonially torched. This piano burning event was organised as part of the Royal Air Force Centennial Celebration. The… Read more »
A Broadwood Manxman upright piano is one of the more attention grabbing instruments at Piano Auctions Limited’s spring sale (London, April 12th, 2018). But what makes this piano so significant? Arts and Crafts Mackay Hugh… Read more »
It’s not often you can buy a piano once owned by Royalty, but in January 2018 a Broadwood grand piano once owned by Queen Victoria, is being put up for auction. It is expected to… Read more »
Trawling through various current eBay auction items I came across a listing for a 1936 copy of Piano-Lover, Vol.1, Issue. 2 (ends 16-December). The magazine features an article written by Dr Rudolph Blüthner about his… Read more »
Six pianos survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, 1945. These are known as the “Hibaku Pianos”. One of these instruments will feature at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert… Read more »
This year the Pierce Piano Atlas celebrates its 70th anniversary. This unique reference work is often referred to as the “Bible of the Piano Business”, and is not only an essential source of information for… Read more »