9-FOOT STEINWAY PIANO ON AUCTION BLOCK AFTER 74 YEARS OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — You’ve seen it — and heard its beautiful music.

The 1911 Steinway nine-foot concert grand piano that some of the world’s great pianists including Diana Krall — and hundreds of aspiring local artists — have played and tinkled the ivories on will soon be gone from the Gravenhurst Opera House.

It’s a piano people in Gravenhurst are and were once proud of — notably musicians, especially pianists and concert lovers.

Bought by Gordon Sloan and Gravenhurst Rotarians in 1949, the gorgeous black beauty is going on an auction block website to be replaced by a seven-foot 1921 Heintzman  — with a love story in its keys — and is 10 years “newer.”

It made the Muskoka Concert Association a respected musical venue for the better part of eight decades and was the envy of Muskoka towns and held pride of place on a stage where young pianists aspired to place their 10 fingers on its 88 keys.

The 9-foot 1911 Steinway concert grand piano, which was bought by Rotarians after the Second World War, “has performed well since 1949,” says Kelly Hamilton. It was played by some of the world’s best pianists and hundreds musicians shy of it 88 keys. But it will now be sold by the Town of Gravenhurst after reportedly outliving its use at the Opera House. Photo Mark Clairmont 

Opera House manager Kelly Hamilton told Rotarians at a recent meeting at the community culture centre that the estimated cost of bringing her back up to performance level would be about $60,000.

With that amount not in the new strategic budget plan — and the hall losing at least one booking over its condition — the grand old lady is back tucked away in its corner of the stage almost forgotten. Sadly like too many pianos more as a piece of adorning furniture than an instrument to be played, heard and enjoyed.

In 1974 Rotarians officially donated the piano to the town after 49 years “on loan” — and 74 years since she was bought and first brought to Gravenhurst.

The sad parting is “due to concerns with the shape of the piano and the cost to overhaul and refurbish the piano — and that we have been given an opportunity to receive another donated piano from our contacts through the Elderberries Choir,” said Hamilton.

The 1921 seven-foot Heintzman replacement, here at the Opera House, was donated by the Jardine family, of Severn Bridge. It was recently in the Windermere United Church in Toronto before it closed in a merger with another church. Photo Kelly Hamilton

“The choir director (Louise Jardine) let me know about her parents’ seven-foot grand that was in a church in Toronto that was closing and would we like it” — if they donated it?

“So we have it, it’s upstairs. We took advantage of that. But the 9-foot piano will be finding another new home somewhere. And if you know of anywhere please spread the word. But we will be putting it up on an auction site to sell it if possible. Or to donate if that doesn’t happen.

“But I thought it best that we share that information with you. I believe the Rotarians bought it in ’49. And officially donated it to the town in 1974.”

She acknowledged it will be a “huge challenge” to move the new 1921 replacement.

“We thought, when we started down this road, we’d have to rent a huge crane and move it out the upper doors. But when the seven-foot piano arrived in May, those movers told us they thought they could get it down the stairs,” Hamilton said as Rotarians gasped. “So that would help tremendously. There will, of course, be a cost associated.”

Hamilton said they’ve had “a few” repair quotes before. “This has been ongoing for years and we were well over the $60,000 mark,” she added to more “ahhs.”

Abby Liang, here at Christmas 2019, was among hundreds of talented aspiring local pianists who sought to sit at the grand piano and perform before large and small audiences of family, friends and community members who admired it for its pianissimo and forte sounds in the right hands.

She continued.

“There’s multiple cracks in the sound board and frame. They keys are all different and uneven. Unfortunately it cost us a piece of business this year. So that kind of pushed us over a little bit, saying ‘OK we definitely need to address this situation now.’

“And then, coincidentally, this (donation) all came together. We went down and tested and tried the new donated piano. Because we didn’t want somebody else’s problem. And she’s beautiful. She’s just been rebuilt in the last 10 years.

“So that’s what makes the difference. She’s not new by any means, but inside …. She’s an old gal, too. I think 1932. But the fact is she’s been rebuilt all new in the interior and is solid.

“The only thing we paid for was to move it to go get it. We didn’t agree to anything until we tried it.”

Hamilton said the legendary Steinway is circa 1911 and was “already old” when Rotary bought it in 1949. “And it had been a retired concert piano at that point when the Rotarians bought it.”

Rotarians had considered selling it before donating it to the town.

Asked if Steinway was interested in buying it back, Hamilton said she’s contacted some piano people, “so we’ll see what they. But it’s the amount of work involved.

“The only thing, really, that piano has going for it is the name.

“Now we a beautiful little piano upstairs. And it’s all nestled in around the back.”

And face-to-face with the one it’s replacing. Both covered and waiting their next pianist and concert.

“She’s performed well since 1949,” said Hamilton.

A photo of the 1921 Heintzman behind the 1911 Steinway shows the considerable four-foot difference in the two pianos, both of which had previous lives. And are about to embark on new musical journeys in 2023.

Opera House sound and light technician Martin Green gives Steinway one last sound check.

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