Via Sound and Sight, Steinway Pianos to be Celebrated at Festival Hill
James Dick has been performing at Round Top Festival Institute for over 50 years on various Steinway pianos. Sometimes by the graciousness of patrons like Miss Ima Hogg and Faith Bybee. More recently on his favorite C&A 435. Join him for his annual recital on Saturday, March 8, in the Festival Hill Concert Hall and celebrate the Steinway piano. In conjunction with the annual James Dick piano recital the “Making Steinway” exhibition will be presented on stage. Mr. Dick will be performing works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert.
New York photographer Christopher Payne is one of the few artists who has been granted access to the Steinway & Sons piano factory in Astoria, New York. His photographs, made at the factory between 2010 and 2015, not only document the process of manufacturing the world-renowned grand pianos, but they reveal the deep commitment and finely tuned craftsmanship exemplified by Steinways long-time employees. Those photographs became the book Making Steinway from the Abrams publishing house. Twenty-eight of his stunning photographs have been added to the Festival Institute Museum Collection.
His own words explain the commitment he took in making the book - “I first toured the Steinway factory in 2002, while still working as an architect, and for many years I kept thinking about what I had seen, given my interest in assembly and appreciation of the built form. After my father and grandmother passed away— both were pianists—my memories of the factory took on a more profound, spiritual importance and I felt an obligation to return to take pictures of the instrument so deeply connected to my family.”
Join Christopher Payne at 2 p.m. in the Edythe Bates Old Chapel before the concert for a slide presentation and to hear him speak on this project. Then stroll to the Concert Hall for the James Dick performance on the Festival Hill Steinway at 3 p.m. After the concert, guest will be invited to the stage to see the photographs first hand. Also on view that day will be two vintage Steinways. The historical instrument No. 108 of the 424 “Centennial” concert grand pianos produced in Steinway & Sons’ New York factory is one of the few remaining. To celebrate the USA’s centennial anniversary, Steinway crafted a unique piano that was displayed during the United States Centennial International Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia.
No.108 started out as an 8-foot, 9-inch Style 5 grand piano in Rosewood. About 20 years later, the piano was reacquired by Steinway to be “clipped” and “ebonized” at their factory. The case was trimmed down to its current 7-foot, 2-inch length and the exterior was modernized to a spade leg design with a satin ebony finish. Clipping Steinway pianos was not an unusual practice at the time - done by the company itself and other rebuilders, perhaps to meet a preferred aesthetic of the period. Not only has the case been restored, but the piano’s inner workings also have been rebuilt at Plum Piano Restoration in La Grange to re-create a magnificent instrument that sounds and plays as beautiful as it looks. During World War II, Steinway & Sons produced specially-built pianos for the American troops sometimes airdropped onto battlefields to provide a bit of relaxation. Called the Victory Vertical or G.I. Steinways, the first “Victory Vertical” was dropped in 1942 by parachute, complete with tuning equipment and instructions. The piano on view at Festival Hill is a New York Upright Model 40”, Victory Olive Drab, completed on December 9, 1948 and delivered to The War Department Tran Officer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For American troops in a faraway country during World War II, music was an excellent way to give them a peace of mind and remember why they were fighting. One soldier wrote home to his family, “Two nights past we received welcome entertainment when a jeep pulling a small wagon came to camp. The wagon contained a light system and a Steinway piano. It is smaller and painted olive green, just like the jeep. We all got a kick out of it and sure had fun after meals when we gathered around the piano to sing... I slept smiling and even today am humming a few of the songs we sang.”
The pianos provided an excellent camaraderie and created a strong appreciation on the battlefield for not only the music, but the Steinway name. There will also be a post concert reception and dinner available in the historic Menke House on campus. Reservations are required for this not-to-be-missed dinner prepared by the Institute’s Executive Chef Nichole Petrie. The reception will start with a salmon and roe blini, stuffed mushrooms, spankopita and main course includes spring salad, beef tenderloin, smoked salmon with potato au gratin.
Tickets for concert and dinner can be purchased online at festivalhill.org or by calling the office at (979) 2493129.