On April 7, 2013, the Blair School of Music’s acclaimed student percussion ensemble, VORTEX, presented the southeastern U.S. premiere of George Antheil’s Ballet mécanique. It’s a wildly raucous piece of music that includes airplane propellers, electric bells, 10 pianos, and much more.
At the heart of that piece are eight player pianos that must be able to play in perfect synchronicity with one another. Antheil himself never saw his original orchestration for the piece realized because the technology to synchronize the pianos did not exist in his lifetime. Ballet mécanique can now be performed as originally intended thanks to the advent of midi-processors, called Disklaviers, which allow the synchronization of multiple player pianos.
The Blair School of Music was able to present this historic concert thanks to Miller Piano Specialists and Yamaha Corporation, who graciously loaned eight midi-equipped Disklavier grand pianos for the rehearsals and performance of Ballet mécanique.
In the wake of this concert, the Blair School is pleased to host a sale of these midi-equipped Disklaviers, as well as many other new and used pianos of various types.
The sale will feature substantial savings on pianos in every price range. In addition to the midi-equipped Disklaviers, the sale will include grand, baby grand, upright and digital pianos by Yamaha, Baldwin, Pearl River, Mason & Hamlin and Roland, as well as preowned instruments by Steinway & Sons and Kawai.
- You may set up a private appointment on May 23 or May 24, in advance of the public sale, by calling (615) 477-0477. This will assure you the best selection and pricing.
- The public sale will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 25; noon-5 p..m. Sunday, May 26; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, May 27.
Parking for the sale is in South Garage, on Children’s Way between 23rd and 24th Avenues.
For more information about the sale, please call (615) 477-0477. Churches and educators may email institutions@millerps.com for information or an appointment through the institutional division.