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Restoration of an
old lady

A year ago, we launched a campaign to raise awareness about the high costs of grand piano restoration. Thanks to your support, the Musical Instrument Fund has succeeded in initiating the restoration of a Steinway grand piano. And we’d like to keep you updated on that process.

News
11 September 2017 by Lennart van der Sman

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For the past few years, the Musical Instrument Fund has received a large number of exceptional grand pianos as gifts or bequests. That number continues to grow. Each of these grand pianos has the potential to be a highly suitable, exceptional instrument for pianists in the Netherlands. We are happy to facilitate the placement of these grand pianos in the homes of conservatory students or professionals. The condition of the grand pianos we receive is often less than ideal. However, we lack the funds for the necessary restoration work.

110 years old

We would like to draw your attention in particular to one grand piano. It is a Steinway & Sons grand piano, acquired through a bequest, built in Hamburg in 1907. Measuring 211 centimeters in length, it is neither too large nor too small. It is not black, but made of reddish-brown rosewood. And at 110 years old, it possesses a unique character and remarkable authenticity. However, it wasn’t ready to play. Thanks to you, we were able to raise 15,000 euros to invest in its restoration.

Stability

“Restoration” is just a complicated word, says grand piano expert Frank Bonarius, who is currently taking care of the Steinway grand piano. He prefers to call it a restoration project or “restoring” it to its original 1907 condition. The process is progressing steadily. The new soundboard is in place, and the bottom has been repaired, refinished, and polished. The strings have also been re-strung and are already tuned to the correct pitch; they are now “stretching” until they stabilize. Bonarius and his colleagues began restoring the action this month.

Concert

The grand piano is expected to be delivered to a prospective buyer in December or January. But first, we’ll celebrate this old lady’s restoration with a musical presentation at Frank Bonarius’s workshop, Andriessen in Haarlem. We hope to invite you to this event soon. Please keep an eye on our website and newsletter for updates.

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