HADDINGTON CONCERT SOCIETY’S BÖSENDORFER CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
In September 2005, after a year-long fundraising campaign and with the help of a Scottish Arts Council Lottery Grant augmented by generous donations from local music lovers, a dream came true for Haddington Concert Society when a magnificent Bösendorfer concert-grand piano was delivered to the Town House, Haddington, the artistic home of the Society at that time.
As the Scotsman reported, the Society “aimed high, wanting the best”. The piano had been on loan to one of the world’s famous concert halls, the Brahmssaal of the Musikverein in Vienna, where it was played by, among others, the great Hungarian pianist Andras Schiff, who enquired about buying it. But the proprietor of Edinburgh Piano Company had made a prior pitch for Haddington, and to Haddington it was duly delivered, amid much fanfare and excitement.
The following April, to celebrate the piano’s acquisition, the Society held a gala piano recital at which the celebrated British pianist John Lill performed, a thrilling occasion that firmly set the seal on the piano’s reputation and the ambitious standards for which the Concert Society is well known. For twelve years thereafter, each April a pianist of international renown was lured to Haddington to play the Bösendorfer at a Gala Piano Recital – all outstanding concert pianists at home in the performing halls of the great cities of Europe who relished the opportunity to play the Society’s piano in an intimate setting where the proximity of the audience added a special atmosphere for the pianist as well as for the audience, who seldom have the opportunity to witness performances of this quality at such close quarters. The excitement at these occasions was palpable.
But the piano is much more than a celebrity showcase. At the time of the purchase, the Society promised that it would become an integral part of East Lothian’s cultural life, readily available for community use. By 2010 alone, the piano had been used on over 200 occasions by numerous local organisations and individuals, as well as playing an important role in the Society’s own concerts. It was used regularly for piano examinations and at the annual East Lothian Schools Piano Festival. For many years, the Society held an “Open Piano” day on Doors Open Day, when local pianists, young and old, amateur or professional, could go along to the Town House to play the piano, an opportunity that was relished by a growing number of people each year. As one music lover noted, the Bösendorfer had become “the people’s piano”.
Sadly, the Society lost the use of the Town House when it closed for renovations prior to Lockdown. For several years the piano was in storage while concerts were held in the beautiful interior of Holy Trinity Church, which sadly couldn’t accommodate the piano over the winter months. Now, in its splendid new home at St Mary’s, a new era has begun. In February this year, the piano was given a complete overhaul, necessary after its four years in storage, and it sounds better than ever. In March the pianist of the Odysseus Piano Trio noted that it was the best piano he had played on their Scottish tour. The piano is used once again for the Schools celebration at East Lothian’s annual Young Musician of the Year Competition, and each September it returns to Holy Trinity for the Lammermuir Festival’s morning chamber-music concerts.
It is impossible to overstate the value of having such a fine instrument for young people to play. It is thrilling to see and hear young children sit down at the keyboard and their delight at the lovely sounds they (and the piano) can make. This often leads to a lifelong interest in the piano, and – in one particular local example – helped set a young musician on a career as a professional musician. Catherine Duncan, the granddaughter of Helen and Graham Duncan of Haddington, remembers the excitement of looking at each season’s brochures as a child and choosing concerts to attend. The first was a gala piano recital, when the Bulgarian pianist Nadejda Vlaeva played. Now a post-graduate piano student at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Catherine has never forgotten the thrill of playing the Bösendorfer at an Open Piano Day, then at a Farmer’s Market concert, and most recently, in May, at the St Mary’s at 4 summer series.
In the 2025-26 season, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the piano’s arrival in Haddington. The Bösendorfer will be firmly at the heart of each Music Close Up! concert, with a stellar line-up of musicians playing a rich assortment of works that will showcase the piano superbly – works for solo piano, violin and piano, piano trio, and even a piano concerto – plus an open piano day for all to enjoy. Few towns of the size of Haddington have an instrument of this quality in their midst. It is a tremendous asset of which we are very proud, a true resource for the community and an inspiration to musicians young and old.
Technical details:
Model: Bösendorfer 275; Serial number: 3046; Date of manufacture: 1974
For a short account of the Bösendorfer piano house, click here.
by kind permission of Hebe Jeffrey
As the Scotsman reported, the Society “aimed high, wanting the best”. The piano had been on loan to one of the world’s famous concert halls, the Brahmssaal of the Musikverein in Vienna, where it was played by, among others, the great Hungarian pianist Andras Schiff, who enquired about buying it. But the proprietor of Edinburgh Piano Company had made a prior pitch for Haddington, and to Haddington it was duly delivered, amid much fanfare and excitement.
The following April, to celebrate the piano’s acquisition, the Society held a gala piano recital at which the celebrated British pianist John Lill performed, a thrilling occasion that firmly set the seal on the piano’s reputation and the ambitious standards for which the Concert Society is well known. For twelve years thereafter, each April a pianist of international renown was lured to Haddington to play the Bösendorfer at a Gala Piano Recital – all outstanding concert pianists at home in the performing halls of the great cities of Europe who relished the opportunity to play the Society’s piano in an intimate setting where the proximity of the audience added a special atmosphere for the pianist as well as for the audience, who seldom have the opportunity to witness performances of this quality at such close quarters. The excitement at these occasions was palpable.
But the piano is much more than a celebrity showcase. At the time of the purchase, the Society promised that it would become an integral part of East Lothian’s cultural life, readily available for community use. By 2010 alone, the piano had been used on over 200 occasions by numerous local organisations and individuals, as well as playing an important role in the Society’s own concerts. It was used regularly for piano examinations and at the annual East Lothian Schools Piano Festival. For many years, the Society held an “Open Piano” day on Doors Open Day, when local pianists, young and old, amateur or professional, could go along to the Town House to play the piano, an opportunity that was relished by a growing number of people each year. As one music lover noted, the Bösendorfer had become “the people’s piano”.
Sadly, the Society lost the use of the Town House when it closed for renovations prior to Lockdown. For several years the piano was in storage while concerts were held in the beautiful interior of Holy Trinity Church, which sadly couldn’t accommodate the piano over the winter months. Now, in its splendid new home at St Mary’s, a new era has begun. In February this year, the piano was given a complete overhaul, necessary after its four years in storage, and it sounds better than ever. In March the pianist of the Odysseus Piano Trio noted that it was the best piano he had played on their Scottish tour. The piano is used once again for the Schools celebration at East Lothian’s annual Young Musician of the Year Competition, and each September it returns to Holy Trinity for the Lammermuir Festival’s morning chamber-music concerts.
It is impossible to overstate the value of having such a fine instrument for young people to play. It is thrilling to see and hear young children sit down at the keyboard and their delight at the lovely sounds they (and the piano) can make. This often leads to a lifelong interest in the piano, and – in one particular local example – helped set a young musician on a career as a professional musician. Catherine Duncan, the granddaughter of Helen and Graham Duncan of Haddington, remembers the excitement of looking at each season’s brochures as a child and choosing concerts to attend. The first was a gala piano recital, when the Bulgarian pianist Nadejda Vlaeva played. Now a post-graduate piano student at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Catherine has never forgotten the thrill of playing the Bösendorfer at an Open Piano Day, then at a Farmer’s Market concert, and most recently, in May, at the St Mary’s at 4 summer series.
In the 2025-26 season, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the piano’s arrival in Haddington. The Bösendorfer will be firmly at the heart of each Music Close Up! concert, with a stellar line-up of musicians playing a rich assortment of works that will showcase the piano superbly – works for solo piano, violin and piano, piano trio, and even a piano concerto – plus an open piano day for all to enjoy. Few towns of the size of Haddington have an instrument of this quality in their midst. It is a tremendous asset of which we are very proud, a true resource for the community and an inspiration to musicians young and old.
Technical details:
Model: Bösendorfer 275; Serial number: 3046; Date of manufacture: 1974
For a short account of the Bösendorfer piano house, click here.
by kind permission of Hebe Jeffrey
