A trip to Steinway Hall, situated on Marylebone Street in London, is always a pleasurable experience. If you haven’t visited then I urge you to go and enjoy the vast array of pianos on display at the magnificent showrooms. One particular instrument has routinely caught my eye over the past few weeks. It’s this unusual Model D (the full size piano) that has been painted by Argentinian painter Maria Ines Aguirre.
This type of artwork isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and no doubt many will recoil in horror at the thought of a Steinway being painted or ‘modified’ at all. However, if you do witness this piano in person you will see that it does have a magnetic charm – it’s a colour explosion! Appreciating modern art is a prerequisite to enjoying this piano, but if you have a fondness for colourful and different artwork then you will probably relish it.
The piano was painted in 2010 and it’s the first time such an instrument has been decorated in this way. The artist has used oil paints made by Michael Harding, also a favourite of artist David Hockney among others.
Maria Ines Aguirre comments: ‘my inspiration comes from movement and light, which is why I want the piano to evoke the energy, movement and colour of the Ballet Russes….you could say I am writing a musical score in colours which I hope will touch everyone who sees the piano – and add an extra dimension to the music created on it’.
The Steinway itself has a mellow sound and real depth in the bass, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing it.
