(Pictured Above: Marc-André Hamelin)BYU is now home to an incredible and rare musical instrument–a Fazioli grand piano.Scott Holden, department chair of keyboard performance, fell in love with the Fazioli piano when he first played it. He knew instantly that he had found the perfect partner for the School of Music.
BYU purchased this beautifully crafted musical gem last year, and faculty made sure that they got one that would fit students’ needs.
“I had the chance to go to Italy with some of my colleagues to pick out the instrument from the factory itself,” Holden said.
BYU’s Fazioli F308 model has interchangeable keyboards designed by BYU’s own piano technicians. The differing keyboards can be interchanged with relative ease, allowing for the piano to be played in multiple styles as quickly as is needed.
There are only half of a dozen of these pianos in the United States, and Holden and other faculty feel that the investment will be worth it to the students.
The arrival of the piano has garnered attention by the community, and was featured in an article in the most recent addition of BYU Magazine.
To inaugurate the arrival of the Fazioli piano, guest pianist Marc-André Hamelin will be playing it alongside the Philharmonic Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 13 in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets are available byuarts.com/tickets.