This image: Simon Pollard, Managing Director of Millers Music
A sonic and visual experience to savour at King’s
A unique sound and experience comes to King’s College Chapel on 21 February, with 21 Pianos, a very special edition of the Chapel Lates concert series.
Nocturne for 21 Pianos is a collaboration between Composer and King’s College Fellow in Music Richard Causton, the Peterborough Centre for Young Musicians (PCYM), King’s College Musical Society and Millers Music.
The pianos, donated by Cambridge music shop Millers Music and worth more than £50,000, will then be gifted to local schools and institutions, who are being encouraged to apply to receive one of the instruments.
A reworking of Chopin’s original Nocturnes, the concert, which is 9.45pm for a 10pm start, features 21 local young musicians play each of the pianos at once. With the pianos arranged in a large circle in the Chapel, it promises to be a visual spectacle and a treat for the ears.
“This is a unique event for King’s College Chapel and the sound and sight of 21 pianos in this wonderful space promises to be really memorable,” explains Richard.
“As a child I studied at the Centre for Young Musicians, and I am very happy that pianists from the Peterborough and Saffron Walden branches of CYM will be joining forces with Cambridge University students for this very special performance. It’s a fantastic chance to play in such an awe-inspiring space.”
All 21 pianos have been provided by Millers Music, in celebration of its 160-year anniversary, and its Norwich-based sister store Cookes Pianos, for its 130-year anniversary.
After the event, Millers will gift the pianos to schools and institutions across East Anglia, based on applications received via its website www.millersmusic.co.uk/21pianos.
Submissions are now open, and those who apply will need to state why they believe their institution would benefit from a piano. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Richard Causton and Millers managing director, Simon Pollard.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with a prestigious university that celebrates music education,” said Simon. “As the oldest music shop group in the UK, we are dedicated to encouraging more young people in the region to embrace music, and gifting these pianos to local institutions does just that.”
Schools, community centres, churches and other education institutions in East Anglia are eligible to apply to receive a piano. The closing date for applications is 12 March. Delivery of the pianos will cost £150 + VAT and will take place in March.
Tickets are £10 (concessions £5 and King’s members £2).
