A Month of Steinways

     Steinway is synonymous with heaven to many pianists. A Steinway piano offers a player luscious bass notes and clarity in the treble and the ability to sing out melodies all across seven octaves without effort. In short, Steinways are a joy to play. 

     In the coming weeks, we have two opportunities to hear the voices of two beloved Steinways, played by a variety of classical pianists. The Little White Church in Eaton is home to the Steinway pictured above. That church is currently organizing a fund drive to replace its steeple and take care of its beautiful piano. Two pianists from the Portland, Maine area are visiting to help with the effort and to share their musical talents.

     Mark Rossnagel and Tina Davis are the pianists. They will perform a program of dazzling and deep piano music there on September 26^th at 7 PM at The Little White Church in Eaton, NH. The program features beautiful works of deep feeling that span the centuries and ask for virtuosity from the performer. Mr. Rossnagel will perform solo on the church's piano. He holds degrees in organ performance and piano performance. He brings precise playing and a singer's understanding of melodic line to his solo playing. He'll play selections from Bach's "Goldberg Variations" and Liszt's "Leibestraum" Number 3. He is joined by Tina Davis, a pianist of lyricism and clarity, in duo selections from Ravel's "Ma Mere L'Oye" and Rachmaninov's “Slava.”

     Before the concert, at 6:00 PM, Mark and Tina will share their perspective on preparing for big performances with interested pianists and piano students. Ellen Schwindt of The Davis Hill Music Studio will host this event. Admission is by donation and supports the musicians and The Little White Church's steeple renovation and piano fund. 

     Then on October 6th at 5 PM at Christ Church in North Conway, NH listeners can attend the first Music as Meditation of the season.  This first Meditation revolves around the magic of chamber music. My friends Judith English, and Jenny Huang-Dale join me to share a Beethoven trio for cello, clarinet and piano. I'll be playing on Christ Church's Steinway of the small, clear, voice. This instrument will be great fun to play in the context of a dramatic Beethoven trio. It's reserved nature might make the task of balancing a little easier, but it will reveal the power in its depths during some of the forte sections. I'm also planning to share a Schubert Impromptu (Number 3) and a new piece in E major that isn't quite finished as of this writing. The Steinway at Christ Church could use a little tender loving care to prolong its ability to sing out the way we want it to. If you are interested in getting involved in some small-scale restoration of this piano, please get in touch with me.

     Through some inspiring instances of synchronicity other artists are now centrally involved in providing more Music as Meditation events for the fall season ahead. On November 3, an artist who goes by the name Barbara Toothpick presents a piece of interwoven theatre and music called "One Woman Show with Allan." Then on December 1st our beloved Nancy Farris performs an organ recital on the beautiful Cassavant tracker pipe organ at Christ Church in North Conway.  Follow this page as a way to stay informed about these performances. You can also receive my e-mail notices by contacting me at ellen.m.schwindt@gmail.com. I look forward to sharing some spirit-filled art with you in the coming months.