Photo: Jo Ann Koopman, Linda Tinney, Jon Nakamatsu, Scott Kenison (front)
A new Steinway concert grand piano has been installed at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore and officially made its debut on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Livermore-Amador Symphony’s Winter Dreams concert. The concert included the familiar “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns, which includes two pianos in the full orchestral score.
Internationally-acclaimed pianist Jon Nakamatsu, who has performed at the Bankhead Theater multiple times, assisted in the selection of the new piano. He played several pieces on each of five possible instruments, which were compared and judged on sound and performance quality. The Steinway Concert Grand Model D that was selected (shown in video below) is well-suited to the needs of the Bankhead, which hosts dozens of performances each year requiring the use of a piano, from traditional classical, to rock, jazz and other musical genres.
The new piano replaces an earlier Steinway model which had seen significant use since 2007 when it was purchased by Jean King as a donation to the newly-opened Bankhead Theater. Given the high level of use and replacement cost, rather than purchase the new piano outright, its lease agreement allows for replacement with a new instrument in seven years.
Initial funding for the new Steinway came from generous donors, Linda Tinney and Ron and Jo Ann Koopman, allowing the piano to be delivered last week. A Bankhead Piano Fund has now been created to raise funds to cover the ongoing costs of the piano lease, tuning and maintenance. For more information on the fund or to make a donation, contact Major Gifts Officer Steve Glavan at 925-583-2304 or sglaven@livermorearts.org
