ONE OF the historic jewels of Pitlochry Festival Theatre has been saved by the local Rotary club.

The days of the Steinway grand piano, a fixture at the theatre for years, were most definitely numbered as an increasingly busy schedule saw it moved between the store, stage and foyer, placing a strain on its parts.

It was the move into the foyer in particular that was placing an intolerable burden on the piano’s ageing body as it had to be tipped on to its side—a most undignified entrance for the grand old friend of the theatre.

At this rate it looked as though it might only survive for a couple more years. When theatre chief executive Nikki Axford learned of its deteriorating state, she asked the club to step in to prolong its life.

They came up with a solution by buying a new digital piano to use for the foyer performances at a fraction of the cost of replacing the grand piano.

The theatre’s ageing, but beautiful, grand piano can look forward to many more years of a much easier life, having only to make the short and painless journey between the store and the main stage. In addition, the theatre has a fantastic new instrument that visiting musicians will love to play at foyer concerts.

Steve Carlin, head of production and resources, said, “The Yamaha Clavinova is an excellent model, offering full touch keyboard and a hammer effect, which means if you press it softly, you get a soft sound, and a firmer touch reveals a stronger sound.

“It offers considerable options on an orchestral front—string, brass, in fact over 80 different instrument effects.

“Replicating a grand piano is this model’s greatest strength and we’re confident that both musicians and audiences will love it. Even the most sophisticated ears are unlikely to notice any difference from the real thing.

“We greatly appreciate the assistance of Pitlochry Rotary Club.”