Keyboard Collections

Some of the PGS piano students made the journey to Surrey to visit one of the world's largest and most diverse collection of keyboard instruments at Hatchlands Park.

It was an extra-special privilege to be given a private tour by the owner of the collection Alec Cobbe who very generously gave up his time for us. As we moved from one sumptuous room to another, Alec played each instrument, demonstrating its construction and unique tone colours. What surprised us all most perhaps was now very different the pianos played by Mozart and Schubert for example, sounded compared to our modern Steinways and Yamahas. They are almost completely different instruments, and possessed unique sonorities impossible to replicate today. Particularly special moments included hearing a Chopin Nocturne played on Chopin's own piano and hearing Haydn performed so easily by our host on Haydn's own piano (which was also played by Beethoven). Another treat was in store at the end of our visit, when pupils were able to play a piano which had been played by Debussy, Strauss and Elgar, as well as a Russian piano that had such a big contrasting sound. Hearing Debussy played by our wonderful pupils on a piano at which Debussy himself had sat down, played, and maybe composed, was a huge privilege and a moment we will never forget.

A huge thank you to the Cobbe Collection for hosting us, and a heartfelt well-done to our wonderful pupils who were a credit to the school.