On September 27th 2018, we were pleased to welcome Arthur Schoonderwoerd which was a special experience to us. The pianist and conductor is one of the world’s best and most successful interprets at the fortepiano and an acknowledged expert for numerous instruments of museums and collections.
As part of a concert tour the famous musician, who has won multiple awards, visited Upper Austria and the Gerstlhaus team gladly followed his desire to take a closer look at our rarity, the fortepiano by Walter.
Arthur Schoonderwoerd instantly showed great enthusiasm about the harmonious ambience of the Gerstlhaus, espacially of the fortepiano. He said, that an exceptionally well restored instrument like this piano which also produces such maverlous sounds after 200 years is very rare to find!
He inspected the fortepiano in every detail and played it, discussing with full enthusiasm. “You are lucky”, Arthur Schoonderwoerd said, who found it hard to release the instrument. However, he promised to return at the next opportunity – perhaps even for a concert…
The enthusiasm of a man, who not only belongs to the best of his generation, but also has extensive knowledge of related history and performance practices, once again showed what an exceptional rarity we have in our museum and therefore the importance of maintaining it and continually bringing it to life.
