Just try to stuff this spiffy Model D into a stocking
BY ARTHUR KAPTAINIS, THE GAZETTE December 20, 2008
...Continued
Last month, a Chinese art collector accepted delivery of a lavish Hamburg instrument inlaid with 40 types of wood. Steinway did not disclose the price, but declared this to be the "most valuable" instrument the company has ever made.
Rizopoulos sometimes receives and displays such pianos for promotional purposes, but does not expect to sell them. "We don't have as many millionaires and billionaires as other markets do," he comments.
We do have thousandaires, however, and they continue to buy pianos, even in tough economic times. Some present credit cards for mid-five-figure purchases. Rizopoulos said he took orders last week from five customers who expect delivery before Christmas.
He is perfectly willing to put CNA151 under your tree. The moving crew is on standby. "Up to Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.," he says with a chuckle.
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People lacking the space or wherewithal for a nine-foot grand piano also have some gift options. The Pro Arte foundation is offering a pass to the 10 Pollack Hall concerts in its Haydn String Quartet cycle, March 19-22, for $50 until Jan. 4. Go in person to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts boutique or consult mmfa.qc.ca/haydn2009.
The Lanaudi??re Festival has announced four of its summer programs and is making them available before Christmas in premium packages with attractions attached.
These include the opener of July 4, featuring Yannick N??zet-S??guin leading his Orchestre M??tropolitain through Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and pianist Alain Lef??vre (a Yamaha artist) playing Gershwin's Concerto in F.
The evening closer on Aug. 1 offers Kent Nagano and the MSO in Brahms's A German Requiem. The pretax price for each of $125 includes a supper involving an appearance by Lef??vre (July 4) and Nagano (Aug. 1). Go to www.lanaudiere.org and click on Gift Shop.
The Montreal Chamber Music Festival is also offering holiday discounts to its May concerts, which will include performances by Kuerti and Song.
Go to www.festivalmontreal.org or call 514-489-3444.
akaptainis@sympatico.ca
?? Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
