'Gorgeous' Piano Strikes Joyful Chord

With every twist of a string and turn of a screw, Takanori Otake was creating a bond between piano and its master.

Otake traveled more than 7,000 miles and spent several hours Saturday at the Carrollwood Cultural Center testing every key and every hammer. The master piano artisan from Japan speaks little English but knows the universal language of music.

His visit is one of the final steps in preparing the center's new Shigeru Kawai grand piano, which will be featured in a concert at 3 p.m. today.

The piano is considered the crown jewel of the cultural center's instruments. The top-rated SK-7 piano is handmade in Japan from aged wood. Fewer than 100 exist in the United States, including five in Florida.

"This is really an extraordinary instrument that will attract world-class performances and world-class concerts to Hillsborough County," said Mary Ann Scialdo, the center's artistic director.

Many credit Scialdo's reputation as a master pianist with helping to bring the piano to the center.

When it came time for center staff to order additional instruments, a less-expensive piano was on the list. Through a partnership with Adams Pianos of Tampa, however, the dealer was able to provide the high-end piano, which is worth about $80,000, at no additional cost to the center. The idea was that someone as accomplished as Scialdo would showcase the piano in a new market.

Scialdo, who has a Steinway in her living room, knows the importance of having a quality piano for performers.

"When you leave your home piano, you leave your best friend," she said. "You never know what you will meet on stage."

Before moving to Florida, Scialdo studied and performed in New York, Italy and Russia. She began playing at age 2 and three years later won a scholarship to Juilliard. She played her first concert at age 6 and her picture hangs in Steinway Hall in New York City.

As part of the purchase deal, the piano company sends a technician to adjust the piano.

"He will regulate all the parts and make sure they are precise," piano tuner Steve Geoghegan said. "Mary Ann helps with this process because she will know if it's right just by the feel."

Geoghegan said Shigeru Kawais tend to feel a bit heavier, meaning it takes the hammers longer to hit the strings, which many pianists prefer. The feeling can be compared to the difference a typist would feel between an electric typewriter and computer keyboard.

After the technician completed his work, Geoghegan completed the final tuning. Though the piano was already featured in a few performances, today's concert will be its debut with the final adjustments.

The center's staff hopes the piano will attract world-class performances and bring attention to the facility. The center, which is operated in a contract with the county, is on a mission to become self sufficient during the next five years.

"This really is a miracle to have such a tremendous gift that is so beautiful and produces such a gorgeous sound," Scialdo said. "It's quite an experience everyone should have and now it's available here for Tampa."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Dedication concert

WHERE: Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa

WHEN: 3 p.m. today

COST: $50

FOR INFORMATION: Go to www.carrollwoodcenter.org or call (813) 269-1310