Newcastle council has forked out $287,000 to replace the grand piano at City Hall, a deal local music luminary Philip Sketchley describes as money well spent.
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Councillors voted unanimously in May to enter into negotiations with Melbourne firm Exclusive Piano Group to supply a new Steinway D-274 piano. The council's contracts register shows it cost $287,000 for the "supply, delivery, unloading and tuning" of the instrument.
It replaces a Steinway concert grand installed in City Hall's concert hall in 1966.
Mr Sketchley, a pianist and semi-retired teacher at Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, said the new instrument was a "wonderful" and "quite significant" acquisition for the city.
It seems a lot of money initially, but the one that's there has done pretty well since 1966.
- Philip Sketchley
"I can remember back in 1965 when it was brought up at the city council there were letters written that it's a disgrace to spend all this money on a piano, but over the years that instrument has paid for itself about 10 times," he said. "It seems a lot of money initially, but the one that's there has done pretty well since 1966.
"They could probably buy a Japanese concert grand piano that would be cheaper, but maybe they don't just have the same sound and quality that the European Steinway has."
He said City Hall needed more promotion as a classical music venue, but the new Steinway would be part of the city's "ammunition" to attract performers of national and international standard.
It is understood the council employed a consultant last year to recommend a suitable replacement for the original piano.
The D-274 is Steinway's top-of-the-range model. The company's website describes it as "the pinnacle of concert grands and the overwhelming choice of concert artists and institutions throughout the world".
City of Sydney staff wrote of the Steinway D-274 in a 2014 report that "instruments of this quality are standardised in all major recital halls that regularly host international touring artists".
City Hall took delivery of the piano in June.
A City of Newcastle spokesperson said the old Steinway was in "desperate need of replacing" and "several high-profile pianists had refused to perform on it".
"City Hall has in recent times hosted concerts by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva and Australian Chamber Orchestra," the spokesperson said.
"It will also be used by Newcastle Youth Orchestra.
"Council also looks forward to announcing in several months' time a program that will include weekly free lunchtime piano recitals for anyone working in or visiting the city."
Mr Sketchley, who was not involved in the new piano's acquisition, was a second-year music student at the conservatorium when the original instrument arrived at City Hall.
"I remember the principal, Harold Lobb, marched us all over to watch the unloading. We'd never seen a concert grand piano. It was quite an occasion," he said.
"I think even then it cost [the equivalent of] over $200,000. It came from Germany. We were allowed to go down and practise on it.
"I've played on it many times over the years. It's still a very good instrument."
The conservatorium has a Steinway D model and a Newcastle-made Stuart & Sons concert grand.
Mr Sketchley said City Hall's existing instrument was "still a good piano" but had "reached its lifespan".
IN THE NEWS
Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
