This elegant creature arrived last Monday on the dot of 10am, as promised by the delivery company.
Pianos are heavy and I expected at least four sturdy removers.
Two sufficed–with barely a puff or red face.
They installed it in ten minutes and even fingered a little tune–taught to the removal man by his granddaughter, he said.
It’s a demi-grand Erard, made in 1914.
The church–constructed fifty years before the piano–exulted in the vibrations.
Sebastien Erard (1752-1831} built his first piano in Paris in 1777. He went on to build them for Kings and Queens and a impressive list of famous composers: Beethoven, Chopin, Fauré, Haydn, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Verdi, Ravel, among them.
His invention of the “double escapement” action–allowing notes to be repeated more easily–enabled these ambitious composers to challenge performers to astonishing heights of virtuosity.
Here is an (overlong) explanation of how this works on a piano made for a Queen and her Consort…
Ours is a considerably less ornate version–in beautiful light brown walnut wood.
We are its guardians, not its owners.
Brother Jack’s partner, Claire Béjanin, is the proud owner, inheriting the piano from her grandmother, who used to play duets with her husband on cello.
We must wait for the moment when Claire, a talented performer, teases the ivories and baptises it with a sweet air.
Until then, it will be covered in cotton sheets and wool blankets–no plastic–against the damp.
We need violins, violas and cellos; flutes and clarinets, and my favourites–oboes and bassoons, to make up a chamber orchestra.
Sopranos and contraltos, tenors and basses–baritones too.
Hold, hold, my heart–’twill come–all in good time.
Robin Ellis 
I presume this is the church you have been remodeling and to be used for musical soirées fantastiques. Je travaille sur mon français encore! Made the cauliflower casserole for my guests and it was greatly enjoyed. The taste was enhanced with pesto sauce, yum. Rachel
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Looks great! Play us a tune, govâ.
Da: Robin Ellis Inviato: lunedì 20 gennaio 2020 17:19 A: keith@boggioli.com Oggetto: [New post] A piano for the church
Robin Ellis posted: “This elegant creature arrived last Monday on the dot of 10am, as promised by the delivery company. Pianos are heavy and I expected at least four sturdy removers. Two sufficed–with barely a puff or red face. They installed it in ten minutes and even “
BRAVO!!!!!!!
Lovely instrument!
It looks like a lovely instrument. I play viola, and would love to come!
My viola was also made in the 1700’s. I wish I could meet all who owned it and all the stories behind them!
That would be something–“on ne sait jamais” as they say here!
Hello Robin ,
Thank you for sharing this exciting moment and the story of this beautiful piano!!!!
What a joy!! Thank you again for allowing us to be part of this ‘adventure’
Fran. Shaw
Robin, What a beautiful work of art! It’s lovely there are still people who love and cherish these vintage instruments. I grew up in a house with a beautiful upright piano. In my teens my mother decided she wanted an electric organ and sold the piano. I felt like she sold a member of the family and house didn’t look the same. I read a few years ago pianos are selling at an all time low and many are ending up in landfills here in the states. I hope people wake up and realize what neglected gems they are in our midst. Aloha
PS I did, however, learn to play Sentimental Journey on the organ with the help of the cheater aids provided!
Congratulations, all around
Dear Robin,
I remember hearing you sing in a musical adaptation of “The Shop Around the Corner,” “She Loves Me.” I thought you were a fine singer (and dancer!). You should sing more often. I bet your voice would sound even finer accompanied by this wonderful instrument.
Forty years ago–but thanks!
What a lovely life you lead. Beautiful church too. Always a treat to read your cheery posts. I hope you and Meredith saw the youtube “How to put on a jumper without disturbing your cat.” That man must be a friend of yours! Thank you both for spreading joy with each message you send. Where would we be without the arts?
Puts me in mind of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s play Our Country’s Good.
Thanks for sharing that, Robin. I have passed it on to my musician son and my musician wife. I was reminded: many years ago, when my wife Lynne first moved in with me, I lived in a bush cottage at the bottom of a steep flight of uneven steps. Lynne was VERY nervous while two strong men negotiated the descent, carrying her piano!
Lovely story–piano movers piano tuners; special people.
Wow!! What a beautiful treasure and how lucky that it arrived in great shape. Where is the church? I remember the one Lautrec. Is that it?
If I was on your side of the pond I would volunteer to sing (as long as there was plenty of others to cover up my wispy voice).
Chez nous.
How interesting….and exciting! Congratulations, Robin and Meredith, on the arrival of the new piano! What tales it could tell you. Lovely that it will be used again.
Dear Robin, The piano is beautiful, as is the glorious church you have restored so remarkably. I thoroughly enjoyed the youtube video of the restoration of Queen Victoria’s and Albert’s Erard. I did not find it overly long, rather I wished to see it played to hear its charm. Thank you for sharing the sweet details of your life. (PS: it did not go un-noticed, the knowing appreciative moment shared between you and Aidan on the final episode of the remake of Poldark.) Best wishes to your passel of black cats and to Meredith, of course. Sincerely.
Robin,
Your church looks beautiful! The piano is perfect! I’m so glad you didn’t turn your church into a flea market or bazaar like so many churches in Europe. Churches are sacred and should be treated with the utmost respect and care. Perhaps you could invite Hugo Jacomet (Book: The Parisian Gentleman) and his wife, Sonja, to see your church. He became a Christian a few years ago. He would love it!
Best wishes,
Linda
How lovely! I hope to hear a concert there one day, surrounded by that beautiful blue! Love to you both x
Thanks, Rachel.
A “warming” story for a cold winter morning in Santa Fe. Congratulations, Robin, on a beautiful acquisition that will bring music into the chapel you and Meredith have so lovingly restored. I hope we will soon hear reports of chamber concerts.
Nancy D.
Very good news. I’m so pleased. Liz Turek
Congratulations! When you finally put on a concert using the piano do please post details in advance as I’d love to make the trek over from Lot-et-Garonne if I could. And thanks for the recipes – I’ve got a couple of your books and your cauliflower and smoked bacon soup and marinated pork fillet are staples of my cuisine!
Will do. Thanks for reminding me of the cauliflower soup.I have a large white face beast sitting waiting patiently.