In November, Paddle8 held an auction offering a chance to spend a couple of hours with the Big Red. The winner was allowed to bring four guests along to share this experience with–and was provided with an instructor, if needed.
This is an instrument originally used by Elton, and later played by Benny Andersson (of ABBA fame) at an after-party for Kristina From Duvemala, a musical he co-wrote.
The striking red hand-built Yamaha S6 Grand Piano, on loan from Markson Pianos, is currently at the Elgar Room, a performance space and eatery at the Royal Albert Hall.
Rick Burin, Press Executive at Royal Albert Hall, told this Web site he’s not sure about the exact date it was installed, but is sure it was ”2010 or earlier.”
He added: ”The instrument was originally used as a display piano to advertise the Red Piano Tour and was used by Elton when he played at the O2.
”However it wasn’t the piano that travelled around or was used in Vegas. The instrument was always Markson’s piano and it was hired to Elton John rather than the other way round.
”As they are the official piano provider to the Royal Albert Hall, it is on long term hire to the Hall and is used constantly in our Elgar Room concerts, particularly in the Late Night Jazz series.”
