Concert to mark debut of Conrad Graf piano

A student recital on an original 19 ^th-century Conrad Graf piano to mark the instrument's debut at Skidmore College is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in Zankel Music Center's ELM Recital Hall. 

Admission is free and open to the public.

Students of Senior Artist-in-Residence Pola Baytelman and Evan Mack, lecturer in music, will perform 19 ^th-century music by Schubert and Brahms on the 19 ^th-century Conrad Graf fortepiano. Built approximately in 1825, the fortepiano is similar to ones used by Beethoven, Schubert, and Clara and Robert Schumann.

This particular instrument, on long-term loan to Skidmore, has been throughout its life in the care of the family of Brooke Allen. He brought it from Italy a couple of years ago to the United States.The fortepiano was essentially restored by Marco De Lellis of Queens and recently was further brought toward performance readiness by fortepiano maker Richard Hester of Coeymans Hollow, N.Y.

Hester noted that structurally, "This all-wood, approximately 300-pound instrument is virtually fully original." He described some of key issues surrounding restoration. "Renewal of the playing mechanism focuses on small essential textiles, leathers, and strings or wire components. Conservation by this approach means to retain all parts and fragments of original materials but strives to blend necessary new bits with original materials to present the sound of the era as honestly as possible."

Student performers are Emily Abeshouse, Taylor Cole, Aimee Fried- Hardy, Joanna Schubert, Beal St. George and Joshua Vargas.