The Rolls-Royce聽of pianos has arrived at 91亚色. A 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 鈥 one of the world鈥檚 oldest piano manufacturers 鈥 was generously donated to the University鈥檚 Department of Music by the Rosenberg family in Toronto.
The exquisite 100-year-old grand piano will advance 91亚色鈥檚 music programs once restored. It was gifted in memory of Barbara June聽Rosenberg, a collector of art and champion of the performing arts who died unexpectedly in October 2013.
鈥淭he 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 was her baby,鈥 Rosenberg鈥檚 sister-in-law Arlen Handelman said. 鈥淪he wasn鈥檛 a pianist, but the piano was her pride and joy.鈥
Barbara June Rosenberg
Made in 1913, the 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 came into the Rosenberg family when Rosenberg purchased it in the 1960s. The piano became the centrepiece of the family鈥檚 grand living room. Whoever entered the home was offered a seat and begged to play.
鈥淪he recognized the quality of the piano and wanted to open people鈥檚 ears, eyes and hearts with music,鈥 Handelman said. 鈥淪he had several passions. The top three were family, education and the arts.鈥
The oldest of four children whose parents came to Canada from Russia as teenagers, Rosenberg was the first in her extended family to have the opportunity to attend university. She was one of the first women admitted to the business school at the University of Western Ontario. In the 1960s, she became one of the first female commercial developers.
鈥淪he was astute in business and was an accomplished entrepreneur,鈥 Handelman said. 鈥淚 fell in love with Barbara first before falling in love with her brother. She was not only smart, but was also a dynamic, gorgeous blonde. Her presence and intelligence were powerful, yet she鈥檇 sit down and share a cup of tea with people from all walks of life.鈥
Following Rosenberg鈥檚 sudden death, Handelman said the family talked at first about selling the piano, but decided instead to gift it to keep alive the spirit of Rosenberg鈥檚 values and beliefs.
鈥淏arbara lived larger than life. She was socially active and active in fundraising through donations to fine arts and music departments. Her house was a revolving door for musicians and artists. She believed music and art were the ultimate expression of beauty, strength and true spirit,鈥 Handelman said. 鈥淲e felt a connection with 91亚色 in that it truly understood the importance of the piano. It is the perfect fit for who and what Barbara was. We all cried. We were so honoured that 91亚色 understood Barbara鈥檚 spirit.鈥
Christina Petrowska Quilico, professor of piano performance and musicology at 91亚色, described 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 pianos as being known for their wonderful warm quality of tone.
鈥淚t has a liquid, melting sound. Mozart just sings on it,鈥 said Petrowska Quilico, who has performed in prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. 鈥淭he key action is like driving a sports car. It performs. Because pianists play on a different instrument each time we perform, you live for the opportunity to play on a supreme instrument like the 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤. I remember every concert I played on a supreme piano, including two recitals on a 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 in Taiwan.鈥
Once restored, Rosenberg鈥檚 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 will join the Kawai concert grand in the music department to be reserved for concerts and recitals only.
鈥淎 lot of our students don鈥檛 get to play on grand pianos, so it鈥檚 really wonderful to have the 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤 in our facility,鈥 Petrowska Quilico said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to try it out myself.鈥
The Department of Music has launched a campaign to raise $30,000 needed to restore and bring the 叠枚蝉别苍诲辞谤蹿别谤back to its full glory. To find out more about the restoration or make a tax deductible donation, contact Alasdair Hooper at ahooper@yorku.ca or 416-736-2100, ext. 33118.