Jan Lisiecki on Fazioli with VSO

VANCOUVER, BC - On Saturday the 2nd and Monday the 4th of June, Calgary's superstar Jan Lisiecki will perform with the VSO on a very rare Fazioli F278 Concert Grand.   Fazioli pianos continue gaining recognition around the world as being the very best piano in production today.   Each one is handcrafted in Italy over a period of 3,000 hours.  

ABOUT JAN LISIECKI: Hailed by critics worldwide for his mature and poetic playing, Jan Lisiecki made his orchestral debut at the age of 9 and has since given over 50 performances with orchestras worldwide, including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, Quebec Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and Sinfonia Varsovia, to name a few. On January 1, 2010, Jan had the honor of opening the 200th birthday celebrations of Chopin at the composer's birthplace, Zelazowa Wola. That same month, he gave a dazzling performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor at the MIDEM Classical Awards Gala in Cannes, France. In April, Jan was asked to substitute for Nelson Freire in four concerts in France, and in May he opened the Seoul International Music Festival in South Korea. To celebrate Canada Day in July, he performed for Her Majesty the Queen of England in front of 100,000 people on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Jan has played at Carnegie Hall, the Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Centre and Salle Cortot and has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Pinchas Zukerman, James Ehnes and Emanuel Ax. He has performed in the United States, Korea, China, Japan, France, Germany, England, Scotland, Italy, Guatemala, Germany, Poland and throughout Canada.

Click here for more information and tickets:   http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/11MWG05/ 

Showcase Pianos is the official dealer for the highly acclaimed Fazioli pianos in BC.  Please visit us on the web:  http://showcasepianos.com 

Showcase Pianos appoints Yana Levkovich as Manager

Showcase Pianos is pleased to announce the appointment of a new store manager. Store owner Manuel Bernaschek says: "I have known Yana Levkovich for many years and feel that she is the perfect addition to our team. Yana is also well known in the city's music community, and has a great passion for European instruments."

Yana was born in the Ukraine near Kiev and started playing piano at the age of six. Yana studied with the great teacher who was also associated world famous Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who was also born in the same city. Yana continued her studies and now holds a Bachelor in Music. After immigrating to Canada, Yana became very involved in Vancouver's music community as an educator, piano performer and singer. Yana has a vast knowledge of the construction of pianos, and has worked as a piano consultant for more than a decade. Yana has a passion for fine quality instruments, and loves to share her expertise with anyone looking for more information related to the study of music and the search for a good piano. Yana regularly conducts workshops and seminars related to the study of music and choosing the right piano.

Visit Showcase Pianos: http://showcasepianos.com/

Tenor Ben Heppner dazzles audiences, receives Harley

VANCOUVER, BC - Ben Heppner is recognized worldwide as one of the finest dramatic tenors before the public today.  Heppner graced a special audience with his voice at the Sheraton Wall Centre where guests of the Peter Wall Institute paid $1,000 a plate to enjoy an evening full of surprises.  A rare hand-made Fazioli F228 (7'6") was brought in especially for the occasion.  All guests were delightfully surprised to see another display of Peter Walls generosity when he presented Ben Heppner with a very special gift: a beautiful new Harley Davidson motorcycle!

The Fazioli piano was on loan from Showcase Pianos, a store with 2 locations that deals primarily with European brands of pianos.  Visit Showcase Pianos on the web:  http://showcasepianos.com 

Vancouver Developer Westbank to work with Danish Architect Bjarke IngelsBjarke

VANCOUVER, BC - UBC's Chan Centre was absolutely packed last night with over 1,300 people - and there were 1,000 more on the waiting list - to hear one of the most popular architects of the 21st century, Bjarke Ingles.

The 37 year old Danish architect employs 130 people in offices located in Copenhagen and New York.  Vancouver's Westbank Development Corporation, headed by visionary Ian Gillespie, hosted the meeting to discuss sustainability and the future of Vancouver's skyline.  Bjarke Ingels talked about Westbank's new project in Vancouver at 1400 Howe Street, and some of his previous architectural contributions around the world.

The audience was also treated to some live entertainment by local performer Austin Nash Park, who played on a beautiful Italian hand-made Fazioli F228 that was brought in for this special occasion.  See more about Westbank's new project, including artists renditions by clicking here: 1400 Howe St

The Fazioli piano was on loan from Showcase Pianos, a store with 2 locations that deals primarily with European brands of pianos.   Visit Showcase Pianos on the web at: http://showcasepianos.com 

Top BC Videographer Produces New 'Fazioli' Video

VANCOUVER, BC - Award winning videographer Erik Andersen, owner of Love Story Media, was commissioned by Showcase Pianos to produce a video for 'Fazioli', the rare Italian brand of pianos.  The exciting new video features clips of a short performance by Evgenia Rabinovich, Amy Yu, as well as interviews with concert pianist Angela Hewitt, Showcase Pianos owner Manuel Bernaschek, and even a few words by the famed pianomaker himself, Paolo Fazioli.

Showcase Pianos is a store with 2 locations that deals primarily with European brands of pianos, and is the official dealer for Fazioli pianos in BC.  Visit Showcase Pianos on the web at: http://showcasepianos.com 

Ferraris, Faziolis, and Art!

VANCOUVER, BC - Guests received a special invitation to enjoy a viewing of Ferraris from FMOV, art from Jones Gallery, and Faziolis from Showcase Pianos.  Background music was provided by Siegel Entertainment and was performed by Austin Nash Park, and Showcase Pianos made special arrangements to blow guests away with a special performance by Mexican soprano Mariana Valdes and her accompanist, concert pianist Wenwen Du.

The Fazioli F278 concert grand piano was on loan from Showcase Pianos, a store with 2 locations that deals primarily with European brands of pianos.   Visit Showcase Pianos on the web at: http://showcasepianos.com 

Malcolm Hasman, Mercedes-Benz, and a Fazioli at Terminal City Club

Vancouver, BC - Guests were invited to tour the amazing facilities at the Terminal City Club on West Hastings in Vancouver.   The special event featured a beautiful Mercedes-Benz parked in the lobby next to a Fazioli F278 Concert Grand piano (provided by Showcase Pianos).   Entertainment for the evening included pianist Tim Moss (provided by Siegel Entertainment) and featured concert pianist Evgenia Rabinovich.