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Church hopes benefit concert will help save musical gem

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD A little-known historical gem resides within the walls of the First Congregational Church, a musical treasure in danger of becoming lost to old age.

The church's nine-foot Steinway Model C piano was built in the late 1800s and has become an "integral part of [each] service," Steve Ferraro, head trustee at the First Congregational Church said. This particular model is no longer manufactured and in dire need of expensive repairs.

However, Charles Sanden, someone with little affiliation with to the church but a great appreciation of music has put together a benefit concert on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. that will help to pay for the new base stings.

Ferraro said the piano houses over 100 strings and 30 base strings. New base strings will cost "in the neighborhood of $1,000," he added. Additional repairs must also be made he said, such as a custom made cover to protect the Steinway from the humidity and keyboard repairs.

The concert next month will allow those in attendance an opportunity to appreciate the musical integrity of this historic instrument with performances from professional pianist Paul Bisaccia of Hartford, Conn., and amateur pianist Vincent Yu, a junior at Longmeadow High School.

Sanden said that when he first heard Bisaccia play on his PBS television special "Gershwin by Bisaccia" he could not believe someone could play Gershwin's music as "great as he could."

This critically acclaimed pianist is a "prot g " of Luiz de Moura Castro, a graduate of the Hartt School of Music, has been broadcasted in numerous television specials and continues to perform all over the world.

Since hearing him in 1996, Sanden has been booking concerts for Bisaccia in Western Massachusetts including three appearances at the First Congregational Church.

Bisaccia said he volunteered his services for this benefit concert because "it's a wonderful town resource" and must continue to be made available for town concerts.

"It's a wonderful instrument to play," he said.

Not only will Bisaccia be playing solo pieces but also four-hand compositions - side-by-side - with Yu. The duets will feature Mozart's "Sonata KW 381," Brahms' "Hungarian Dance No. 5," and Pozzoli's "Scenes from Childhood."

Yu said four-hand compositions are often difficult being that there are two people, two sets of music, only three pedals and one set of keys. However, Yu said he and Bisaccia have chemistry and will be sure to put on a friendly, fun and informal concert.

"Pianos are my principle mode of expression," Yu said. "On sheet music, it's just notes but the way you play each individual note makes it your own and in order to maximize your interpretation you need a good instrument."

He added that he has come to greatly appreciate the quality of Steinway pianos and the value of the piano at the First Congregational Church as he has switched from playing a Yamaha Upright Piano to a Steinway at home.

Yu added that after switching to the Steinway he noticed a "uniqueness" in his playing and that this instrument offered him "many more layers of sound and possibilities."

In addition to his duets with Bisaccia, Yu said he will be performing Franz Liszt's "Concert Etude No. 3," Maurice Ravel's "Sontaine" and Alberto Ginastera's "Danzas Argentinas."

Ferraro said thus far only one private donation has been made for the restoration of the Steinway. He and Sanden said they are hoping for as many donations as possible at the benefit concert but added that they are doubtful they will receive the full $1,000 for new base strings.

Donations of $10 will be accepted at the door on the day of the concert, however additional donations are also appreciated.

For more information call the First Congregational Church at 739-6608.