The late Gordon Lightfoot’s piano, one which he used to compose his music, has discovered a brand new dwelling. The sale of the Steinway as soon as owned by the long-lasting singer-songwriter was introduced by the Avenue Highway Music and Efficiency Academy.
The historic instrument has discovered a brand new dwelling with the Russell household, identified for his or her assist of music and the humanities.
Dr. John Holland, the Academy’s Director of Fundraising and Neighborhood Applications feedback, “Once we consider the musical storytelling that was Lightfoot’s hallmark, we notice that it had its origins on this instrument, particularly with East of Midnight, considered one of Lightfoot’s most private and favorite albums. This piano represents not simply the artistry of Gordon Lightfoot, however is a cornerstone of Canadian music historical past.”
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot’s musical profession started with singing, and he grew to become generally known as a boy soprano till concerning the age of 13.
Lightfoot was self taught as a pianist. He discovered the instrument as a young person, together with percussion, and was already enjoying in bands and bars all through Orillia when he taught himself the people guitar. He’d go on to check jazz composition and orchestration for 2 years at Westlake Faculty of Music in Los Angeles.
Whereas the acoustic guitar, and his distinctive vocals, outlined his sound as he rose to fame, he would typically write his songs initially on the piano. Whereas his personal recordings have been nicely acquired, it’s in all probability as a songwriter that he achieved a lot of his worldwide fame. Lots of his songs have been coated by a variety of artists.
The Piano
Gordon purchased the Steinway Grand Mannequin A11 in 1974 from Paul Hahn & Co. The store itself is part of Toronto historical past, positioned on Yonge Avenue since 1913. The piano was manufactured in 1910 at Steinway’s Lengthy Island manufacturing facility, and it wouldn’t be the final time that Lightfoot would go to the venerable store.
It’s a chunk of Toronto — and Canadian music — historical past.
Lightfoot donated the piano to the Avenue Highway Music and Efficiency Academy, and signed it. The instrument was moved straight from Lightfoot’s Toronto dwelling. The Academy facilitated the current sale with a view to discovering it an applicable dwelling.
“We’re honoured to have performed a task in preserving this instrument,” mentioned Dr. Ruth Corbin, Chair of the Board for the Academy. “Gordon Lightfoot’s piano has been treasured by college students and performers on the Avenue Highway Music and Efficiency Academy, and we’re gratified to see it shifting to the house of a particular household in his childhood neighbourhood shut by. Gordon Lightfoot’s confidence in the way forward for the Avenue Highway Music and Efficiency Academy continues to raise the spirits of everybody who visits the Academy’s Gordon Lightfoot Live performance Corridor.”
New homeowners Daniel J. Russell and Tanya DeAngelis plan on retaining the keys busy. “Our household feels each honoured and privileged to be the caretakers of an iconic instrument as soon as owned and cherished by Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon is a real icon of his period, a contemporary Beethoven or Miles Davis, and the enjoyment he dropped at his viewers will proceed to resonate via our daughters, Danya and Charlotte, as they embark on their very own musical journey along with his beloved Steinway grand piano.”
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.
