A unique community project has seen the residents of Franschhoek club together to ensure that the gourmet village retains the grand piano which was brought into the village on loan six years ago, and can continue to be used for concerts in the NG Church.

Talented and passionate classical music performer Christopher Duigan brought the grand piano to Franschhoek, when he started putting on two Music Festivals per year.   The Kawai originally cost  R 270 000.  To retain the grand piano in the village, individual keys are being sold at R 1750 each.  Donors receive free tickets to 10 concerts over a two year period. 

A benefit of keeping the piano in Franschhoek is that one can look forward to the outstanding concerts by Duigan, who was named a Steinway Artist earlier this year, keeping company with Diana Krall, Lang Lang, Abdullah Ibrahim, Keith Jarret, and also Arthur Rubinstein, Franz Liszt, and Richard Wagner, amongst others.

Whale Cottage has supported the wonderful concerts that Duigan has organised for and played in Franschhoek, and this project, and therefore bought the Middle C key. 

There are only a handful of keys on the Franschhoek Grand Piano left for sale.  Contact Karen Minnaar, tel (021) 876-2431.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

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