TWO NEW GRAND PIANOS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25833, 18 June 1949, Page 8

TWO NEW GRAND PIANOS

CIVIC MUSIC COUNCIL’S INSTRUMENTS

The first of the new grand pianos bought by the Christchurch Civic Music Council has arrived and was tested at concerts by Mr Peter Cooper in Christchurch this week. Music critics and others are well satisfied. This is a nine-foot Weimar, the third of its size in New Zealand. One has been given to Canterbury University College by Mr B. E. H. Whitcombe and the other is at radio station 2YA, Wellington. There are other smaller (six-foot) Welmars in the Dominion. Only one large Weimar is produced by the British makers every three months and Christchurch is considered fortunate in acquiring two so soon. The British Broadcasting Corporation has tested Welmars against foreign grands and found them equal in touch and tone.

The Civic Music Council’s other piano will be landed in a few weeks. It is an eight-foot Challen, also of British make, which is also used by the 8.8. C. The Christchurch Challen was recently exhibited at the British Industries Fair.

The two instruments will cost more than £2OOO and the Civic Music Council has already begun a drive for funds to meet this cost. Generous contributions have been made by some musical organisations, firms, and individuals. Mr A. M. Hollander, chairman of the Civic Music Council, said yesterday that a committee had been set up to determine conditions for the use of the two pianos and make arrangements for their housing in Christchurch.

It is expected that a demonstration concert will be arranged soon at which the two new pianos will be used by leading pianists, and thus introduced to the public of Christchurch.