This year we have had the pleasure and the privilege of installing pianos in some very interesting locations across the UK, and in this article we have highlighted our Top 3 installations of 2023.
A Steinway, Sauter and Shigeru Kawai – these three stunning grand pianos are now situated in gorgeous locations to be enjoyed by many guests and visitors.
No. 1 – Raffles Hotel at the Old War Offices, London
On Friday 29th September, the prestigious Raffles London opened the doors of the landmark Old War Offices, which has become the home to one of Britain’s finest hotels.
The Old War Offices, also known as Whitehall Palace was the residence of many monarchs from 1530 to 1698 including Henry VIII. Not only this, the grand staircase and balcony is where Sir Winston Churchill delivered many speeches and briefings to his cabinet throughout wartime Britain. It is with great awe and delight that Coach House Pianos was selected to be involved with this incredibly special and historic project.
The drawing room was selected to be the most suitable location for the piano so the question then was ‘should the piano fit the room?’ or ‘should the room fit the piano?’. After much thought and time was spent discussing and viewing the various options, it was concluded that a fine piano should be selected and everything else could be designed to suit it.
A beautiful preloved Steinway & Sons Model O-180 grand piano finished in its original factory polished mahogany cabinet became the instrument of discerning choice due to the warmth and maturity of its tone along with its impeccable condition throughout.
Whether you go for afternoon tea or a sip of Champagne in the Drawing Room at Raffles, you can be sure to enjoy this beautiful piano as it sits elegantly in the entrance to this peaceful and charming space.
No. 2 – All Souls College, Oxford
The College was planned, built, and endowed in the 1430s by Henry Chichele, long-serving Archbishop of Canterbury. It received its foundation charter in 1438 from King Henry VI, co-opted by the Archbishop as the College’s co-founder.
All Souls College is primarily an academic research institution with particular strengths in the humanities and social and theoretical sciences with an outstanding library. It also has strong ties to public life.
The Chapel of All Souls is renowned for its gothic architecture, the reredos (which dates from 1447), and the baroque screen, designed by James Thornhill in 1716. The Chapel’s antechamber is a cavernous space that is utilized for music performance and other special events. In 2023, the College took the decision to upgrade the existing small grand piano and replace it with a premium concert grand piano that would suit the acoustic grandeur of the space, and better compliment the high-level performances taking place there.
After several visits to Coach House Pianos London by two of the Fellows of the College, as well as a survey of the Chapel by representatives from Coach House Pianos, the piano selected for the Chapel was a new Sauter Omega 220. This model was chosen for its perfect dimensions for the space, as well as its rich and sonorous tone, which suited the unique acoustic requirements of the building. Sauter pianos are renowned for their versatility, meaning they are perfect for solo, accompaniment, or chamber music. To have a piano that could fulfil these requirements was one of the main criteria for the College, and the Sauter Omega proved to be the best choice. The new premium grand piano, purchased from Coach House Pianos, is situated in the College chapel and will be used for regular recitals and musical events at the famous college.
The All Souls Chapel is open to visitors most weekdays and Sundays between 2pm and 4pm
No. 3 – County Hall Arts, London
Nestled proudly along the picturesque south bank of the River Thames stands London County Hall, a resplendent architectural marvel fashioned in the grand Edwardian Baroque style by the visionary Ralph Knott.
Overlooking iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and the majestic Big Ben, County Hall has long stood as an emblem of governance, casting its architectural brilliance as a worthy rival to illustrious Thames-side counterparts, including Somerset House and the revered Palace of Westminster.
For 64 illustrious years, County Hall stood as the hub of London’s metropolitan governance, boasting interiors meticulously crafted from the finest materials, harmonizing decorum and efficiency in its design. However, the winds of change blew in 1986, marking the end of an era with the dissolution of the Greater London Council. Left dormant, County Hall’s purpose underwent a series of contemplations, its regal exterior and functional layout proving adaptable to various potential uses.
In 1992, new custodians took the reins, catalysing extensive redevelopment efforts, culminating in the unveiling of the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in 2010, among other transformations that reshaped this expansive locale.
Today, County Hall stands as a vibrant hub, housing specialist restaurants, versatile event spaces, and beloved family attractions.
County Hall Arts champions the enlightenment of the public through the arts. Focusing on music, film, literature, architecture, culinary arts, and agriculture.
Operating on the principle of interdisciplinary collaboration, County Hall Arts champions visionary thought for the greater good. The realm of the arts knows no boundaries, uniting humanity through creative expression and the pursuit of perfection, values that resonate with Coach House Pianos.
With the prestigious addition of the Shigeru Kawai SK6 Grand Piano with its superior sound and aesthetic appeal, County Hall Arts is steering its focus towards the realm of music and its transcendent influence, embracing its transformative power.