UMCM’s Martin Griffiths and Lizzie Perring were interviewed on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire on Tuesday for their work in getting the Bechstein piano restored. The BBC were very enthusiastic and we hope they will follow up with the church in future months.

Our major project to achieve the restoration of the 1878 Bechstein grand piano in St John the Baptist Church, Coventry, has been successfully concluded! Courtney Pianos, Oxford delivered the fully restored instrument to St John’s on Wednesday 9th June. On hand were pianist Varvara Maggs, church staff including Father Dexter Bracey, and UMCM’s Martin Griffiths. Varvara immediately spent some time at the piano. Martin commented afterwards: “I can’t imagine that Bechstein #10855 ever looked so good as it does now when it came out of the factory in Berlin 170 years ago and I can’t believe anyone has ever played it so wonderfully as Varvara this afternoon”.

All that remains is the concert and celebration. The concert is of course on Saturday 23 June, starting at 7.00. Please don’t be late! And if you haven’t got a ticket yet, please click our link to EventBrite below. The concert is followed by various short talks and German wine in the hall, generously donated by Phipps.

We are all so excited for future music at St John the Baptist, and we hope and believe that the piano will be an exciting addition to Coventry’s heritage and culture and be the focus for many performances in this beautiful church, including some City of Culture events.

Exciting news – the repaired Bechstein piano is expected back at St John the Baptist this Wednesday, 6th June.