Classical pianist Philip Chiu played on a mountain top in the Canadian Rockies, with Mount Dainard in the background, on a sunny Sunday north of Revelstoke.
The unique event was put on by Mica Heliskiing, who hosted a free show by Chiu and soprano Suzanne Rigden in Grizzly Plaza on Saturday morning before flying Chiu and the piano into the mountains for an exclusive performance for Mica guests. The mountain top show required amazing logistics and a bit of luck with weather to long-line the piano onto the mountain.
The heliskiing operation named the run below him Piano Man.
The show in Grizzly Plaza was attended by more than 100 people, who stayed despite the dreary drizzle that fell from the sky. Chiu and Rigden delivered a captivating performance that soared above the din of traffic on Victoria Road and clang of passing trains. Chiu invited the crowd into the bandstand during one of his quieter songs.
The entire event was filmed and will be turned into a video for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
Mica said they would donate the piano to a local organization.
~ Words by Alex Cooper, Revelstoke Review; Photos by Zoya Lynch, Mica Heliskiing
