Library’s New Piano Receives Warm Welcome

Halifax Central Library’s Paul O’Regan Hall is now home to a beautiful piano, all thanks to the generosity and persistence of local music lovers.

“A hall without a piano is like a library without books,” remarked cellist and Symphony Nova Scotia (SNS) member Shimon Walt. That’s why, after being the first to perform in the hall earlier this year, he insisted that something be done to raise funds for an instrument. Now, only months later, his vision has been realized, thanks to local arts-lover and philanthropist Peggy Corkum. Corkum, who has also purchased pianos for such institutions as Halifax’s Government House, took it upon herself to see that the hall be made into the formidable performance space it was designed to be, with the donation of a $63,000 grand piano.

The instrument’s official dedication concert took place this past Sunday, with pianist Peter Allen and Rhapsody Quintet gracing the stage. Allen opened, at Ms. Corkum’s request, with a Rachmaninoff étude, before continuing on to a Haydn sonata and two pieces by Liszt; he was followed by Rhapsody Quintet, who performed a number of pieces ranging from tangoes to jazz standards to a medley of Beatles tunes, arranged by SNS bassoonist Christopher Palmer.

The library sees the instrument as an integral step in making the hall a centre for arts and culture in the city, one that is accessible to all community members.