One Steinway at a time.


Yes, that is what I said, One Steinway at a time! An amazing and humbling experience of our life occurred on Nov 3rd, 2012. A beautiful grand piano arrived at our home after making a long 1000 mile trip on the road. This fine instrument was made available to us by a retired concert pianist whom I met several years ago at one of the airports while waiting for my delayed flights. Neither of us remember the detail of our meeting, but Popeye's chicken on my side and my Macbook on my lap displaying pictures of Erik at the piano had something to do with how we met and began our conversation. We exchanged our contacts when we discovered that we had a common interest in Piano, and Ms W followed Erik's progress from afar through videos that I posted. Recently, she approached us with the million dollar question,, "would you like my Steinway?" She said, she is considering looking for a new home for her baby,, that she has spent the last 40 plus years with. We have pondered many times in the past few years whether we should seriously consider an upgrade for Erik due primarily to the strong progress he has made in relatively short period. We knew we did not need or want just any grand piano since our current instrument is not necessarily of poor quality. We have a Yamaha upright grand and it really is a wonderful partner. But, those I thought would be considered an upgrade would not be within our means,,,,not at all. Ms W's offer made it possible for us to "consider " the possibility, and after almost 4 months of research, waiting for professional reports rendered by independent technicians, much praying for guidance, and strong hope, ,we decided.  

Watching Erik's Excitement when the truck arrived was worthy of an entry here. He could not stop smiling, and he stood around the truck waiting and waiting for the sight of the piano......He was not exactly jumping but I knew his heart was. We watched it roll in to our home and to be assembled together by the professionals. 

It only took one phrase into the piece and we were awe-struck by the phenomenal quality of the voice of the piano.  It was every bit worth while any extra hours of work I put into last few months and any crunching we will be doing for a while. Erik's facial expression showed me immediately that he also heard the amazing difference that this instrument now offered him. Seeing him enjoying his new partner was also worth the world. Do we deserve it?  No not at all. Does he deserve it? In my earthly opinion, he does, but reality often tells us we don't always get what we think we need or deserve. I am humbled by the chain of events that led us to achieve confidence in making the final decision of our purchase. 

As Erik continued to play, the piano sang in chorus, and whispered telling us all the stories of the previous chapter and about all the love she received in the years past. I was almost in tears. I heard every word of it and I sensed that the piano is satisfied to meet the new partner at this new location. The piano was happy to begin the new chapter with us in our home.  Erik can not stop playing the piano and he absolutely loves his new partner. Typically, when dinner time is near, his attention tends to veer toward what is happening at the kitchen counter. If he sees the food on the table, he typically quickly finishes or appears to want to finish. Tonight was different,,,,we had to call him. He saw the food but his ears and fingers were not paying attention to the dinner! 

Erik's practice session is recorded (not a performance) below. 

The professional piano movers left for the remainder of their trip to pick up or deliver more pianos along the way,, many of them Steinway, and the truck sure was full of all the clan members who let one member get off at our stop. The rest will serve their master wherever they are headed,,,,there is a story for each one, a life for each and I would love to hear the story, ,,,,,,,one Steinway at a time. 







Comments

Risa Kell said…
BRAVO !!!!! BRAVISSIMO !!

PIANO LOVES YOU !!!

Risa
November 5, 2012 at 2:09 PM
Wakako 源　Eklund said…
Alicia, that was my word, too.
November 7, 2012 at 9:55 PM
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