A new Steinway piano will take centre stage at the Perth Concert Hall, attracting more international artists to perform at Western Australia’s premier music venue.
Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale said the purchase of the piano was part of the State Government’s $3.7million pledge to Perth Theatre Trust for additional programming and venue upgrades.
“As part of the Ignite package announced last year, the Carpenter Government committed to a significant investment in the Concert Hall to ensure WA audiences enjoy this great venue for many years to come,” Ms McHale said.
“Work to be undertaken includes replacing seats and upgrading audio visual facilities.
“A new piano of this quality will encourage pianists of international calibre to include the Perth Concert Hall on their Australian itineraries and extends the programming opportunities available to the Perth Theatre Trust.”
The piano will be played publicly for the first time by the winner of the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition, 23-year-old Konstantin Shamray from Russia, at a recital on August 13.
Seven Steinway pianos were tested over six hours at the Steinway factory showroom in Hamburg, Germany to find one best suited to the specific and exceptional acoustics of the Concert Hall.
“Only a limited number of this Steinway Model are built each year and there is strong international demand for the instruments,” the Minister said.
UK-based international concert pianist Victor Sangiorgio, who grew up in WA and has performed and recorded at the Concert Hall, auditioned the pianos.
Local Steinway agent and technician Walter Haas and Perth Concert Hall general manager Andrew Bolt assisted in the selection of the piano.
The total cost of the piano was $221,350, including transport and technical advice for selection and installation.
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