Louis Lortie is one of the world’s top concert pianists, and he will be coming to Kelowna for a single performance on Wednesday April 16 at the Mary Irwin Theatre. A piano store in Vancouver has been asked to send Lortie’s favourite piano for the special concert—a Fazioli.
Although Fazioli pianos are the “new kid on the block” in the world of piano making, they are now considered to be the “crème-de-la-crème” of pianos. Founder Paolo Fazioli is a pianist and an engineer, and in 1979 he set out to make the world’s finest pianos.
Lortie is French-Canadian, and a recent survey by CBC Music showed him to be one of the top three most loved Canadian concert pianists. The other two that made up the list of astounding Canadian pianists are Angela Hewitt and Marc-André Hamelin, who have joined Louis Lortie in making the change to playing Fazioli pianos.
Lortie performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in mid-March, and it was a rare opportunity for concert-goers to hear a Fazioli concert grand piano.
The piano that is being brought here from Vancouver is a 7-foot Fazioli F212 and has a list price of $169,999—around double the price of the corresponding Steinway Model B, which happens to be the piano that is getting rolled out of the way at the Mary Irwin Theatre for the arrival of the Fazioli piano.
“Steinway is like the Rolex of the piano world,” says Showcase Pianos store owner Manuel Bernaschek. “It’s the brand that the general public thinks is the best available. But for a true connoisseur, only the Fazioli will do. It represents the finest the industry has accomplished, and it is supported by people who believe in change and innovation. No other piano in the world has such an incredible dynamic range, an action so smooth, and a sound full of light and colour.”
Fazioli Pianoforti, just 60 km north of Venice, makes only 100 pianos a year. For any person that likes to collect special and unique items, this particular Fazioli grand piano is for sale and could be signed by Louis Lortie and delivered the very next day to be a centrepiece in someone’s home.
Bernaschek confirms that a special concession will be made on the price since the piano has been showcased in the store. Interested parties can contact Bernaschek at Showcase Pianos by email at manuelb@showcasepianos.com or by phone at 604-270-8883 for more information.
CONCERT INFORMATION:
Wednesday April 16 at 7:30pm
Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna
TICKETS: 250-717-5304 or online: www.selectyourtickets.com.
