Young musicians to play 170 year-old grand piano at Edwardian hall's recitals

Lotherton Hall’s elegant drawing room will be filled with the beautiful sound of a 170 year-old grand piano during a series of special music recitals.

Talented young musicians from some of the country’s top schools will be performing a programme of classical music on one of the hall’s spectacular Erard pianos this April, May and June.

One of a pair, the historic piano dates from 1860s and was originally made for the famous Salt family of Saltaire.

Along with its counterpart, the instrument was acquired as a piece of furniture before being fully restored to playing condition by specialists.

Both pianos now reside in the hall’s drawing room alongside a stunning Erard harp from the 1840s.

Lotherton Hall has been home to some of the city’s most prominent families over the centuries, including the Nevilles, de Hothams and the Gascoignes.

At that time, Erard instruments were marketed as some of the finest in the world and aristocratic families would have regularly gathered in the drawing room to listen to chamber music recitals similar to those that will be performed there over the coming months.

This year’s programme of Young Artists’ Recitals will be held on Sunday afternoons and will be followed by tea in the Servants’ Hall Gallery.

The first will take place on April 24 and will see the Louko Piano Trio performing Beethoven, Liszt and Brahms.

That will be followed by a recital on May 22 featuring music for voice and piano by Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Schumann, sung by Hannah Johnstone, Grace Chapman and Caolan Keaveney, who will be accompanied by Freddie Viner on the piano.

And on June 26, Ashley Fripp will be playing Mozart, Debussy and Chopin.

The performances have been organised through partnerships with the Royal Northern College of Musicians in Manchester, the University of York and the Worshipful Company of Musicians in London, who all enable Lotherton to offer performing opportunities to future musical stars.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said:

“This piano is a genuine piece of master-craftsmanship and it must be a privilege for a musician to perform on such a unique and historic instrument. Likewise it will be a delight for any music lover to hear them played by such a talented collection of artists.

“To do so in the uniquely beautiful surroundings of Lotherton Hall will make it all the more special and I’m sure these concerts will be a memorable experience for both performers and visitors alike.”

Tickets for the recitals are priced at £12.50, £11.00 concessions and £20.00 for a family ticket.

Tickets include tea and cakes and admission to the hall as well as free parking if pre-booked.

For further details and booking, contact Wendy Shuttleworth at wendy.shuttleworth@leeds.gov.uk or telephone 0113 378 2966.

For more details about Lotherton Hall, please visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/lothertonhall

ENDS