Victoria’s piano back on display in Kolkata
June 21st, 2012 - 9:27 pm ICT by IANSKolkata, June 21 (IANS) On World Music Day, music aficionados of the city got a glimpse of the Victorian era masterpiece - the grand pianoforte on which the Queen Victoria honed her skills - after it was put back on display at the Victoria Memorial Thursday.
The instrument, carved out of rosewood and manufactured by noted French piano makers Sebastian and Pierre Erard, was put inside a glass case at the Royal Gallery of the museum after a gap of almost two decades.
One of the most illustrious French piano manufacturers of all time, Sebastian Erard began building superior harpsichords in Paris in the 1700s. His instruments were so renowned that he obtained a license from Louis XVI to produce pianos for the French court.
With nephew Pierre, Sebastien also set up his manufacturing firm in London.
The specially ordered piano was gifted by then English king, William IV to his niece and successor Queen Victoria in 1829.
“The Queen, who had a knack for music, was tutored on the same piano by Lucy Anderson who was appointed her teacher in 1834. The instrument is now back in display after the section was closed for restoration,” curator Swapan Chakrabarty said.
One of the most eminent female pianists of the early Victorian era, Anderson was born in the English city of Bath and became the first woman pianist to perform for the Royal Philharmonic Society. She was later made its honorary member in 1869.
June 21 is celebrated as World Music Day and was conceptualised first in France in 1976 by American musician Joel Cohen who proposed an all-night music celebration to mark the summer solstice.
- Child prodigy performs with Mexican philharmonic - Mar 06, 2012
- Gaga's piano to go under hammer - Jun 11, 2011
- Soha takes piano classes, pleases mommy dearest - Apr 11, 2012
- Romantic Europe comes alive through music - May 07, 2010
- This 'iband' creates music on their palms (With Images) - Jul 22, 2012
- Some give, some take for Mexican pianists in India - Nov 20, 2010
- Queen Elizabeth II finally joins Flickr - Jul 26, 2010
- Would British history have been same if current rules were applied? (Lead) - Jun 10, 2010
- No Victorian era if new immigrant rule imposed back then? - Jun 10, 2010
- Sweden's crown princess gives birth to baby girl - Feb 24, 2012
- Kolkatta, Paris, Jaipur inspire Preeti Kapoor's designs (With images) - Aug 19, 2011
- Prince William appointed Colonel of Irish Guards - Feb 11, 2011
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra gives a performance for plants - Mar 24, 2011
- Lankan performers in India with classical repertoire - Aug 21, 2011
- Boyle's Olympic creation narrative of British history (Roundup) - Jul 28, 2012
Tags: american musician, chakrabarty, erard, female pianists, french court, glass case, harpsichords, joel cohen, king william iv, lucy anderson, manufacturing firm, music aficionados, music celebration, piano makers, piano manufacturers, queen victoria, royal philharmonic society, summer solstice, swapan, victoria memorial