It’s considered the Rolls Royce of pianos and it’s just found a permanent home at the Blue Mountains Theatre in Springwood.
A Steinway Model D piano was carefully delivered to the theatre on February 6 after council reached agreement with Blue Mountains Concert Society to purchase the instrument.
It is believed to be the only Steinway in a public performance venue between Sydney and Bathurst.
Originally bought by the society from Albert Hall in Canberra in the 1980s, the piano has been “restored to its former glory”, said Paul Brinkman of the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub.
And the $58,000 price tag represented a “win-win” outcome, said Phillip Huthnance of the Blue Mountains Concert Society, conceding it would likely have fetched more on the open market.
“It’s home now,” he said of the Steinway which was previously stored at the old Springwood Civic Centre. “It’s a great asset for this theatre.”
Piano technician Nick Croft worked to restore the piano over six months.
“It is now in a pristine state and ready to amaze audiences at the Hub for years to come,” said Mr Brinkman.
“Most importantly, this prestigious concert grade piano will now be made available for hire for all community organisations to access as part of their performance program.
After undergoing over six months of significant refurbishment work by a Steinway specialist the piano is now in a pristine state and ready to amaze audiences at the Hub for years to come
- Paul Brinkman
“With the fantastic feedback regarding the acoustics of the theatre from both audiences and performers, we are looking forward to hearing the newly restored Steinway at its new home.”
Audiences will get to hear for themselves when the Steinway is played at the theatre on Saturday, March 25 at the My Leonard Cohen concert featuring Stewart D’Arrietta.
The piano will also be used when the Blue Mountains Concert Society present Sydney Chamber Choir at the Blue Mountains Theatre on Saturday, April 1.
But Mr Huthnance said he was most looking forward to hearing Blue Mountains Concert Society patron, Simon Tedeschi, play the Steinway at the new theatre.
