Hi Folks,
If anybody is looking for something fun to do tomorrow (Saturday 12-12-09) between 4:30 and 8:30, they really have put together a nice Christmas Festival at the Old Poway Park on Midland Road, AND if you go to the museum while you are there, you will have the opportunity to see and hear a very rare 1881 Square Grand Piano, played by yours truly. This piano was purchased in Boston around 1881 and carried by ship around Cape Horn to it's new home in Poway. The curators at the museum arrange to have it tuned only once a year, and it is only played once a year, during the Christmas at the Park Festival.
The square grand pianos are an interesting anomaly in the evolution of the piano. They were only made in this country for a few years, and were completely obsolete by 1900. Square grands have a softer, more delicate tone quality than modern pianos, and when restored, can sell for as much as $36.000 each!
I feel very honored to be the pianist that gets to play it this year, so if you're not busy, come on down and check it out, sing a song with me, do some Christmas shopping at the craft fair and have something yummy to eat. If you Google "Christmas in the Park" Poway, there are a couple of websites that give more information about what all is going on.

See Ya!
Lisa Klopp

Teresa and I will definitely get out to see you, eat stuff, have hot chocolate...

See you, Jeff

Lisa,

I am sorry I missed you playing the piano. I'm really into antique instruments and would have enjoyed coming. If you are going to play these piano again or hear about it being played let us know.
Thanks for sharing!

Lance