Beginning January 19, the School of Music is celebrating its 12-year anniversary as an All-Steinway School with a series of concerts showcasing the Steinway concert grand pianos, as well as guest talks and unique Steinway experiences. Critically acclaimed pianist, Steinway artistand School of Music professor Arthur Rowe will perform an all-Beethoven concert that afternoon to launch the special series.
Steinway artist Arthur Rowe
Hear Arthur Rowe perform at 2:30pm Sunday, January 19, in the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, in the of B-Wing UVic’s MacLaurin Building. Admission is by donation.
Canada’s very first All-Steinway School
The School of Music became Canada’s very first All-Steinway School in 2008 when UVic acquired 63 new Steinway pianos—49 uprights for practice rooms and faculty offices, 13 grand pianos for the teaching faculty and rehearsal halls, and a Steinway Concert Grand for the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall.
Considering we’re still Canada’s only All-Steinway School, it’s a designation we’re justifiably proud of. Back in 2008, we were the 99th All-Steinway School in the world, joining famous schools such as The Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music. It was announced at the time that the $1.1-million acquisition was being funded through a financing arrangement between UVic and Tom Lee Music.
Rowe—a recitalist, soloist with orchestra and chamber musician—teaches piano at UVic and is the artistic director of the Victoria Summer Music Festival. Among other works, the Jan. 19 program will include Beethoven’s Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier,” which is widely viewed as one of the greatest piano sonatas of all time and one of the most demanding solo works in the classical piano repertoire.
More to come in March
Further anniversary celebration concerts will be held in March, with performances from UBC’s Mark Anderson, Emerging Steinway Stars and Bruce Vogt. Enjoy pre-concert talks at each event and a demonstration of Steinway’s Spirio|r, the world’s finest high-resolution player piano capable of live performance capture and playback.
Proceeds from this year’s special concert series will benefit the school’s Steinway Legacy Fund, which is dedicated to the enhancement and expansion of this valuable collection of instruments.
Help us grow and maintain our Steinways by donating online here.