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🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan /Culture & Society

Steinway piano at Kyrgyz Opera reserved for elite musicians

From 24.kg · () Russian

Translated from Russian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new Steinway & Sons grand piano, awaited for over a decade, has been installed at the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater.
  • The instrument is reserved for renowned musicians and special concerts, with its use recently expanded to include more performances.
  • The theater also upgraded its facilities with a new LED screen for opera subtitles, funded by a 50 million som allocation.

The Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater is now home to a prestigious Steinway & Sons grand piano, a long-awaited addition that arrived after more than ten years.

We waited for a new instrument for more than ten years. The old pianos were unusable: the keys stuck, and some of them no longer worked.

— Nurzhan ToktobekovaThe vocal accompanist at the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater explains the need for the new Steinway & Sons piano.

The theater's vocal accompanist, Nurzhan Toktobekova, shared that the old pianos had fallen into disrepair, making the arrival of the new instrument a significant upgrade. The "malachite hall" is now equipped for classical concerts featuring vocalists, quartets, and trios. The theater has also received new acoustic instruments, much to the satisfaction of its musicians.

The malachite hall is considered a salon. Classical concerts for vocalists, quartets, and trios are held here. It is a great honor for us to perform for the audience on such an instrument. Besides, acoustic instruments were brought to the theater. We are very pleased.

— Nurzhan ToktobekovaThe vocal accompanist describes the use of the new piano and other instruments in the theater's salon hall.

Initially installed in December, the Steinway & Sons D-274 concert grand piano, a 274-centimeter instrument weighing approximately 500 kilograms, was only made available for playing in May. Toktobekova explained that the instrument is highly valued and protected, initially reserved for "world stars" and "great pianists." However, the theater director has recently permitted its use in more concerts.

They waited for world stars, great pianists. They don't let everyone play – it's closed, but recently the director has allowed its use in some concerts.

— Nurzhan ToktobekovaThe vocal accompanist explains the initial restrictions on playing the new Steinway & Sons piano.

During a visit by the Minister of Culture and journalists, 11th-grade student Almaz Kanatbekov performed a piece by Rachmaninoff on the new piano, describing it as "gorgeous" and suitable for "all the world's pianists." The theater has also installed a new LED screen for opera subtitles, with 50 million som allocated for equipment upgrades during the summer break.

The piano is gorgeous, all the world's pianists play on such a instrument.

— Almaz KanatbekovAn 11th-grade student describes his experience playing the new Steinway & Sons piano.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by 24.kg in Russian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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