VIDEO: Vancouver Architect Ernest Collins designs case of largest piano to ever come to BC!

VANCOUVER, BC - Local architect Ernest Collins, together with his wife and professional artist/designer Grace Gordon-Collins, designed the art case of the first Fazioli F308 to arrive in BC.   The model F308 is completely made in Italy and is 10 feet 3 inches long, making it the longest production piano in the world.

Showcase Pianos is the exclusive dealer for Fazioli pianos in the province of BC, and deals with many brands of pianos - - - from the very affordable, to the most luxurious.

Ernest Collins is the architect that originally designed the home and was approached to 'revisit' the music room when the homeowner's children started taking piano lessons.  Collins and his wife also designed the cabinet that went in behind the piano and also the picture frame that housed the especially commissioned art work for the room.

The cabinet was built by Joe Edwards of TLC Furniture Design, and the painting was made by Vancouver artist Michael Solomon.

The music was composed and performed (not on a Fazioli unfortunately) by talented Juilliard graduate and Fazioli-lover Jennifer Athena Galatis.

Showcase Pianos is located at 1224 W Broadway in Vancouver, BC 604.437.5161 and at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC 604.270.8883

Ryan & Ray perform on Fazioli for BC's Premier

RICHMOND, BC - On Thursday the 7th of November, Showcase Pianos was happy to loan a Fazioli piano for a Fundraising Gala held at the Continental Seafood Restaurant in Richmond, B.C.

The beautiful Fazioli F183 in polished white was brought in specially for the occasion and the very talented Ryan Wang and Ray Zhang performed a number of selections to entertain the guests that included BC's Premier Christy Clark.

This particular Fazioli piano is special, beyond the incredible craftsmanship and rich crystalline tone that’s come to be associated with the brand, this piano has the addition of a player system designed by PianoDisc, the world’s leading manufacturer of player piano systems.  An appreciation for all the finest things in the world, Showcase Pianos prides itself on offering only the very best for our local community.

Showcase Pianos is located at 1224 W Broadway in Vancouver, BC 604.437.5161 and at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC 604.270.8883

Rare Italian FAZIOLI goes on tour with Award Winning Bergmann Duo

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver’s very own Bergmann Piano Duo, Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann, are on tour around British Columbia and Alberta during October and November with a FAZIOLI and a Grotrian, two beautiful European grand pianos from Showcase Pianos.

The dynamic couple’s energetic and electrifying performances have inspired audiences with a diverse programme for the past two decades.  They have toured extensively around the United States, Italy, Germany, Holland, Greece and Canada.  The Bergmann’s have also been a part of various international festivals such as the San Francisco International Music Festival, MusicFest Vancouver, the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, the Banff Arts Festival, the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition, the International Two Piano Symposium and Schubertiade, Miami, the Tage für neue Music, Darmsadt, the Braunschweiger Kammermusik Podium and at the Expo 2000, Hannover.  The duo has also recorded for the CBC, the National Public Radio, and several stations in Germany.

FAZIOLI pianos are now widely regarded as the finest in the world, and are still considered to be quite rare.  Having one go on tour throughout the smaller city centres in British Columbia gives many a chance to experience one in real life that wouldn't have otherwise had a chance to hear one.

Their next performance date is set for November the first at Revelstoke, followed by:

     Invermere Nov. 2
     Cranbrook Nov. 3
     Creston Nov. 4
     Trail Nov. 5
     Nakusp Nov. 6
     Grand Forks Nov. 7
     Oliver Nov. 8
     Penticton Nov. 9

Incredible talent paired with an incredible piano, there can be no greater match!  Showcase Pianos is proud to be a patron of BC's thriving music culture.   For more information, visit:  http://www.bergmannduo.com/

Trump Tower Preview for Fazioli VIP Guests

VANCOUVER, BC - What better way to spend an evening than surrounded by beautiful music and the who’s who of Vancouver?  Showcase Pianos owner Manuel Bernaschek and family along with Fazioli VIP clients were invited to a preview of the new display suite of the Trump International Hotel and Tower set to be opening to the public in Vancouver November the 2nd.  

The new building designed by Arthur Erickson, well known Canadian architect and urban planner, promises an unwavering commitment to offer the finest dining and the utmost attention to detail and luxury.   The rare Fazioli “Strauss” in white was brought in exclusively for the occasion to provide soothing background jazz music played by Max Zirpinksy, one of Vancouver’s hottest musicians.  Max is often heard at the Fairmount Pacific Rim and Shangri-La hotel performing solo or with his band the Star Captains.  

Vancouver’s Trump Tower developer Joo Kim Tiah, CEO of the Holborn Group and eldest son of one of Malaysia’s wealthiest Chinese families greeted guests and was charmed by Aria the newest little Bernaschek, already an astute business woman! Inspirational, passionate, glamourous, uncompromising, and original, words Showcase Pianos and the Trump Tower hold true to heart.  

More information about Trump Tower in Vancouver:  http://www.trumpvancouver.com/

More information about Fazioli Pianos in Vancouver: http://showcasepianos.com

 

Musical Instruments Expo in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Over 60,000 visitors and over a 1,600 exhibiters came together to celebrate the international Trade fair for Musical Instruments and Services (Musikmesse) at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre this year from the 10th to the 13th of October.  The four day fair was packed full of educational activities and live shows; visitors had the wonderful opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends.

Major Chinese and Western musical instrument brands from 29 representing countries including newcomers Greece, Israel and Pakistan were present along with 11 pavilions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Taiwan and the UK.

The Fazioli booth received much recognition and popularity as many visitors stopped by over the course of the four days to take pictures with Mr. Fazioli himself and the best pianos in the world! Since the first introduction of the Fazioli pianos at Frankfurt Musikmesse in 1981 many well-known artists have been drawn by the incredibly responsive keyboard and clear tone such as Alfred Brendel, Martha Argerich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Louis Lortie.

Showcase Pianos owner Manuel Bernaschek was invited by Fazioli Pianoforti to attend the the entire four days of the show and serve as translator for Mr. Fazioli.  

Not only noted for creating the most beautiful pianos, Fazioli is also the maker of the largest piano available on the market with the F308 measuring in at an amazing 10ft 2 inches, this model also features the inclusion of a fourth pedal that helps to decrease the volume by bringing the hammers closer to the strings without affecting the quality of the sound; a common issue pianists have with the soft pedal.  There’s no telling what innovations will happen next but the future certainly sounds sublime!

Congratulations to Tristan Teo!

VANCOUVER, BC - As a luxury piano store Showcase Pianos is placed in the advantageous position of meeting many talented young musicians.  One such visionary is our very own artist in residence Tristan Teo.   A native of Canada and at just 15, Tristan is set to start studies at the prestigious Julliard School of Music in the heart of New York City.   Tristan has performed with numerous orchestras such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Waring Festival Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra and Gulf Coast Orchestra not to mention many solo recitals all across the US, Braunschweig in Germany  and the Salle Cortot in Paris just to name a few.  A committed musician and dedicated fan of Fazioli Pianoforti, Tristan has just moved his own Fazioli piano to New York for the course of his studies.  Congratulations Tristan!

Follow Tristan Teo here:   http://tristanteo.com

Business of the Year Award!

VANCOUVER, BC - What do you want to do when you grow up?  Maybe… be recognized for the best business ever?  Showcase Pianos has been nominated for best business of the year by West Side Business Awards from the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce.  Currently in its ninth year this sellout event celebrates the achievements of local businesses.  The WBA attracts a wide variety of nominations and is set to be the largest event thus far for October 2013.  This year the WBA will be taking place at the beautiful University Golf course; VIP guests and an impressive program ensure it will be an evening to rival all other events on a business calendar.  Winning such an award brings significant prestige, media coverage and moral boost for sales and marketing staff; undoubtedly a night to remember.   Best wishes to each of the 2 finalists!

[Photo above:  Lululemon founder Chip Wilson congratulates Showcase Pianos owner Manuel Bernaschek for being one of the two finalists for the Business of the Year Award in Vancouver!}

Click here for more information:  http://www.westsideawards.ca/

Teresa Carpio in Concert with Fazioli

VANCOUVER, BC - On Saturday the 21st of September Hong Kong Pop superstar and Asia's 'Queen of Song' Teresa Carpio blew Vancouverites away with her amazing voice as she performed along side talented pianist Bill Sample at the keys of the Fazioli F278 Concert Grand Piano.

Teresa Carpio's performance was part of a fundraiser for S.U.C.E.S.S., an important organization that was established in 1973 and is one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia.

Teresa Carpio's co-performers included Evelyn Ip, Bonnie Wong, and Teresa's own daughter TV Carpio.  The latter has starred on the well publicized Broadway show "Spider-Man" and across from Bradley Cooper in the Hollywood movie 'Limitless', but is probably best known for her performance of The Beatles song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in the movie 'Across the Universe' which can be heard by clicking HERE.

Showcase Pianos owner Manuel Bernaschek was invited to join the performers and crew for dinner after the concert.

Ryan Wang & Ray Zhang perform at Fazioli Concert Hall, tour piano factory

VENICE, ITALY - Five year old Ryan Wang and six year old Ray Zhang traveled to the Fazioli piano factory in Italy this summer to perform at the Fazioli Concert Hall.  Forming part of the entourage of the 2 boys were their two mothers, their piano teacher FaFan Xiao and her husband Don, two of Vancouver's best videographers - Guy Roland and Dave Hamilton, and also myself.

Coming off the plane we were greeted by transportation arranged by the Fazioli factory.  The pianists and their mothers arrived the night before, the videographers came in just a few hours earlier on the same day - and then I arrived together with the piano teacher FaFan Xiao and her husband.  We were happy to see the Fazioli sign and were delighted that we didn't miss an important connection in JFK.  Although we had an hour to change to the next plane which was literally the next gate over, we still had to clear customs and go through security again, leaving us to run and make it just in time to the next plane.

Our arrival at the Venice airport meant that we still had to travel north another 35 minutes by car to the small town of Sacile where the Fazioli piano factory is.  Sacile has a population of 20,000 people, and it is where the Fazioli family had their original furniture factory.

This trip to the factory allowed us to have a sneak peak at the custom made Fazioli F308 that has a case designed by renowned Vancouver architect Ernest Collins.  Made mainly from Red Elm, the piano also has - among other things - 24k Gold Leaf, inlays of Satinwood and sections Mother of Pearl.  

Our videographers filmed Ray and Ryan's performance in the concert hall, as well as an interview with Mr. Fazioli as he discussed the construction of the special F308 concert grand piano.  Mr. Fazioli also toured our group through the factory being followed the entire time by the videographers.  Mr. Fazioli also arranged for his little 6 year old daughter to be brought to the factory to meet both of our little pianists.

Our tour of the area finished in Venice itself, where we stayed in the Gritti Palace hotel.  Since I visit Venice regularly to go to the piano factory, I try different hotels to see which one I like the best - and this was going to be a new one for me.  The Gritti Palace had recently undergone an enormous renovation, and the results are spectacular.  It's definitely the finest hotel I've ever stayed in Venice.  

Since the videographers were planning to interview me as part of the documentary on  the special F308, I suggested that this be done in the Gritti Palace Hotel.   We wrote to the hotel manager to let them know of our intentions, and they upgraded my room to a beautiful suite that has an antique harpsichord in the living-room area.  When we checked in, they called out the manager to come and meet Ryan Wang in person.

After only two nights in Italy, I had to head back to Vancouver right away.  Although I needed 3 flights to get home, I used up all of my airlines points to upgrade my last flight from JFK to YVR to first class.  Since it's a rare treat, I took a photo of my self in the enormous chair.  Flight attendants hand out pyjamas to everyone, and also put an extra mattress on your seat for extra comfort.   Now I'm spoiled.

- Written by Manuel Bernaschek

5-year old West Vancouver Prodigy Ryan Wang Plays Fazioli on Ellen Show

WEST VANCOUVER, BC - Ryan Wang is the five year old student of FaFan Piano Studio in Vancouver, and on Monday the 27th of May, 2013 he appeared on Ellen TV.   The talk show is hosted by Emmy award winning comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres.

A rare hand-made Italian Fazioli F278 Concert Grand was brought in especially for Ryan Wang.  The Fazioli piano is quickly becoming the favourite of many talented artists around the world and can be seen in top universities and performance halls.

Watch the video here:

YuJa Wang Performs on Fazioli

SACILE, ITALY - On Friday the 3rd of May, 2013 international concert pianist YuJa Wang performed at the Fazioli Concert Hall in Sacile, Italy.

Wang comes from a musical family. She entered Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music at age seven and studied there for three years. At age 11, Wang was accepted as the youngest student in the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada.  After several summers of participating in the program, Wang moved to Canada at age 14 to continue her studies at the Mount Royal University Conservatory.

In 1998, Wang won 3rd prize in the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists, in Ettlingen, Germany. In 2001, she won Third Prize and Special Jury Prize (awarded to an especially superior finalist of less than 20 years in age, prize money of 500,000 Japanese Yen) in the Piano Section at the First Sendai International Music Competition in Sendai, Japan.

In 2003, Wang made her European debut with the Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich, Switzerland, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 under the baton of David Zinman. She made her North American debut in Ottawa in the 2005/06 season, replacing Radu Lupu performing the Beethoven concerto with Pinchas Zukerman conducting.

On September 11, 2005, Wang was named a 2006 biennial Gilmore Young Artist award winner, given to the most promising pianists age 21 and younger. As part of the award, she received $15,000, appeared at Gilmore Festival concerts, and had a new piano work commissioned for her.

Starting at age 15, she studied for five years with Gary Graffman, who was also Lang Lang's teacher, at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated in May 2008. She is increasing the number of concerts she is playing, and has "developed a novel reputation" of replacing sick pianists, yet going on "to deliver a knockout performance."

In 2006/2007, she performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Houston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony, the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Japan, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic in the Netherlands, the China Philharmonic in Beijing and the Guangzhou Symphony and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.