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Songs from a Lost Piano

2 Feb 2009

Eclectic pianist Matthew Bourne brings Yorkshire’s discarded pianos back to life for three haunting performances and an evocative photographic exhibition.

The idea behind the project is to acknowledge the piano’s place in our lives, even though it’s increasingly absent from those places it might have been found - in the pub or the music hall or the corner of a living room.

A three month search for Yorkshire’s most characterful keyboards produced six very different instruments; from a beloved family upright passed down the generations, to a legless grand hidden behind a motorbike in a Methodist Chapel.

These are instruments with a tale to tell, and you can catch the show in Leeds, London and Bexhill.

27 February, The Venue, Leeds
1 March, Bush Hall, London
3 March, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill

For more information visit: www.matthewbourne.com or www.soundandmusic.org

The Pianos:

Junk Shop piano (upright), Otley
Discovered in an Otley junk shop, completely hidden, covered in books, videos and dvds, this piano possesses a peculiar sound. It was made in 1908, by Philip Loher, of London. Inside were several labels commemorating prizes won for its “Tricord” design at various exhibitions during the late 19th & early 20th century: National Awards Diplomas 1897 /1899; Industrial Exhibition 1898; Franco-British Exhibition 1908.

Glasshouses Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (grand)
This sad looking grand piano was found way up the top of Nidderdale, in North Yorkshire. It was inside a chapel undergoing refurbishment, and accompanied by a grandfather clock, and two motorbikes leant up against it. It has no legs or lid, the keys don’t move, and its strings are protruding from it like a bowl of manic spaghetti! It was originally housed in the ballroom of the mid-17th century Cockmill Hall near Whitby. The hall was taken over in the mid 60’s by the American Air Force who used it as their Officer’s Mess while they were present at RAF Fylingdales early warning station. The Hall is now run as a rather splendid B&B.

Elsie Smiths’ Piano (upright) Generational Piano, Sepcote village
This well loved instrument was bought brand new in the early 1900’s and has been passed down through the family. Elsie, the current owner is 92, and was given the piano on her 21st birthday by her mother who was given it on her 21st. Although it was found in Harrogate, until very recently, the piano had spent its whole life in the Leicester village of Sepcote. The piano was a focal point for many occasions in the life of the village: weddings, funerals, birthdays and carol services (where some of the carols sung were particular only to Sepcote and the surrounding areas). Some hand written manuscripts of these locally sung carols were found with the piano.

Champion Jack Dupree (upright)
What a find this was, it was discovered, covered in small props and costumes, languishing in a corner, back stage, in the drama department at Calderdale College, Halifax. The piano was used by the New Orleans born blues pianist and singer when he lived in the Ovenden area of Halifax, during the 1960’s and 70’s (it’s a long story). Champion Jack was feted by many in the blues – Fats Domino readily admitted how much he was influenced by the musician. He performed and recorded with many other musicians, such as Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Chris Barber, Keith Smith, John Mayall and Eric Clapton.

The Failsworth Mystery (upright)
At the time of going to press, not much is known about this instrument, except to say that it was found in a large mill near the Lancashire / Yorkshire border, in a place absolutely full of curios – a real Aladdins’ Cave of the bizarre and very odd. All we know about it at present is, according to Matthew, “It’s bloody great, the case is in good nick, but the sound…!”

The White Grand at Besbrode (grand)
Again, at the time of going to press, not a great deal known about this piano’s history at present – it’s very large, very white and used to adorn a cocktail lounge. This was unearthed in a piano undertakers room at Besbrode’s Pianos. Leeds – it has a sound that would break anyone’s heart.

Lost Pianos

Photos by Benjamin McMahon

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Songs from a Lost Piano