Pianodrome events
The Scottish company Pianodrome (http://pianodrome.org) has installed three different sized keyboards in playable upright pianos embedded in the their ‘Old Royal Pianodrome’ amphitheatre, As well as the conventional 6.5 inch octave keyboard, there are 6.0 and 5.5 inch octave keyboards for pianists to try.
The keyboards have been generously funded by a private donor, Gladys Li, from Hong Kong.
The US-based DS® Standard Foundation made the DS6.0 keyboard which has been installed in a restored Brasted upright. https://www.pianodrome.org/blog/72wm7r5tlsjg13y05mjxp7060m2vei
The 5.5 inch octave keyboard is included in a Yamaha U3 that was brought across from The Netherlands. This piano has an interesting history which is worth summarising. It was previously owned by an American pianist John, who died in 2023 at the age of 97. He had previously been in touch with PASK over several years as he had a lifetime passion for narrow keys. John originally had Steinway Hamburg make him a 7/8 keyboard for a Steinway M in 1959 when he was living in Saudi Arabia. This piano was sold after it was damaged while shipping back to The Netherlands in 1974. In the early 1980s John asked Steinway NY to make him a new 7/8 keyboard if he purchased a new Steinway, but they declined. He eventually found a restorer in New York who agreed to make a 7/8 keyboard for a Steinway 1907 Model B which he purchased. Much more recently, John moved into a small apartment and had to sell his Steinway B. In 2016 he had a 5.5 keyboard made by Laukhuff for a new Yamaha U3. PASK became aware of its availability via his daughter who was dealing with his estate. The coincided with the DS Standard Foundation being approached by our donor in Hong Kong in late 2023 who was a fan of Pianodrome and wanted to contribute funds for stretto keyboards.
These pianos were first accessible in Leeds in September 2024. Pianodrome was commissioned by the Leeds International Piano Competition to set up their amphitheatre in the Leeds City Museum from 1 to 21 September, including the dates of the Leeds finals (11-21 Sept). The many events held in the Pianodrome in Leeds are listed here: https://www.leedspiano.com/2024-piano-trail-festival/.
Most of the time, this Pianodrome is installed in Edinburgh and is accessible for any interested pianists and teachers every Saturday. For details of specific events, see: https://www.pianodrome.org/whats-on
Location: Pianodrome Warehouse Granton, 28 West Harbour Road, Edinburgh EH5 1PN.
