Frank & Kathy's Piano Adventure II - The Estonia Debut

Estonia 210 Debut NY

Frank & Kathy's piano adventure in New York continues.
You may have seen our thread on the Piano Forums about Visiting Steinway Hall in NY

That was just the beginning of our day, and while we had a great time visiting at Steinway, the primary reason we
were in New York was to celebrate the debut of the new Estonia Model 210 Grand Piano.

Our good friend Indrek Laul, president of the Estonia Piano Company invited us to join in the festivities with the
added enticement of an opportunity to meet the President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves. As if
that wasn't enough, we also had the pleasure of hearing (and meeting) concert pianist Mihkel Poll of Tallinn, Estonia (one of
our favorite places in the world) an amazing young pianist who plays with deep emotion and incredible technique.

Adding to all this was the fact the event was being hosted by our friends Ori & Rebecca Bukai of Allegro Piano, and that a number of
our friends from the piano industry would also be there and you have the makings of one amazing evening.

And best of all, we got to share it with my sister Barbara Wadsworth and my niece Michelle Wadsworth.

Here is a short clip of the new Estonia Model 210 being played by concert pianist Mihkel Poll, Hollywood Piano president (and musical composer) Glenn Treibitz, and yours truly Frank Baxter of Piano World (courtesy of Sam Bennett of PianoWorks in Atlanta)





Mihkel's Program:

Tubin - Ballade on a Theme of Mart Saar (Estonian)
Ravel - Ondine
Ligeti - Etude (Estonian)
Chopin - Ballade No. 4


And now for some pictures from the event:

Frank Baxter - President Ilves - Kathy Ford



Frank - Concert Pianist Mihkel Poll - Kathy



Glenn Triebitz (Hollywood Piano) - Indrek Laul - Evelin Ilves - President Ilves



I get a chance to play the new Estonia 210



Frank Baxter and Evelin Ilves (the President's wife)



Kathy Ford and Frank Baxter in front of the Estonia 210



Michelle Wadsworth (my niece), Barbara Wadsworth (my sister), President Ilves, Mihkel Poll



Sam Bennett of Piano Works (GA) and Frank Baxter of Piano World



A young pianist (who's name escapes me, but she played wonderfully) and Mihkel Poll



John Cordogan of Cordogan's Pianoland (IL) and Frank Baxter of Piano World



Barbara Wadsworth (my sister) plays the Estonia 210


Kathy Ford, Frank Baxter, Ori Bukai (owner Allegro Pianos), Indrek Laul (President of Estonia Piano Company), Rebecca Bukai (owner Allegro Pianos), President Ilves (President of the Republic of Estonia), Pianist Mihkel Poll





All in all a truly magical day for us.
Our heartfelt thanks to Indrek & Triin Laul for inviting us (and for being true friends), to Ori & Rebecca Bukai of Allegro Pianos
for hosting this amazing event, To President & Mrs. Ilves for being so gracious, and to pianist extrodinaire Mihkel Poll for his beautiful performance.
I'm so glad we got to share this day with friends and family, making it even more special than it already was.

And for our friends in the New England area, after leaving New York Kathy and I went (with my sister as our chauffeur) to look
at houses in Maine, and found one we really like. Nothing definite yet, but we're working on it (and it would be a great place
to hold piano forums parties :-)

Until the next piano adventure...
All the Best,
Frank & Kathy

Here is a longer video that captures more of Mihkel's performance on the 210, as recorded by James Luce




Note: There is another thread about the 210 debut posted by Ori at Estonia 210 Debut by Ori

Thanks for sharing. Looks like it was an amazing time!

Fantastic Frank, thanks for sharing all this with us!

I couldn't imagine a prouder moment for especially Dr.Laul having raised the image of his country's piano in such record time.

No wonder the nation's president Mr.Ilves, a staunch ally of USA and currently on visit here, saw fit to attend the event personally.

More than just building another fine instrument, Estonia represents this Baltic country's age old tradition known for beautiful 'voices' choirs and choral music.

This artform is totally unique in Europe and has grown over hundreds of years authentically represented in the sound of each and everyone of their pianos.

It's something that stunned me when trying the pianos first some 15 years ago - still stuns me today.

Nice to know I'm not the only one...

Norbert

Almost like being there!

Your great photos put a smile on my face.

Wonderful pictures Frank and a great sounding piano to boot! Thanks for sharing those.

Again, wonderful pictures, Frank!

And, I'm sure it was a fantastic experience!

It's nice to see faces to put with a name. And, I see a resemblance between you and your sister.

All the best!

Rick

Wow, Ori in a tie!

Anybody else think Frank's playing has improved? I was looking back at past recordings over the last few years at NAMM...I think regular practice and a healthy dose of vitamin K has polished some of your earlier, enthusiastic takes.

Thanks Sam,
It helps to have a real piano to practice on, and you're right about the vitamin K.
My sister calls her Saint Kathleen of Largo (for her patience with me) :-)

I can say my wife and I really enjoyed Frank's playing and it was very nice to meet him and his wife along with Ori and Rebecca. It was pretty funny when my wife and I went to look at the piano more closely Frank was there and when introducing ourselves I was like, "you're that Frank?"

Very nice evening at Allegro. Probably a good thing that we had an LX player installed in our 168 so trade-ins require a bit more thought or the 210 would sure be tempting :-)

Regards- Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy, much appreciated.
We always enjoy meeting our forums friends in person.

Just noticed this thread today.
It was a great evening and great pictures. Thanks Frank!

It was nice to see old friends visiting from both near and a far!

Perhaps we should do it again at the launch of the new model from .....

by the way, Eric, I wasn't sure what was that thing around my neck. Thanks for clarifying!

Ori

wonderful pictures Frank.. i am so happy to see them. Indrek looks distinguished and your sister Frank, looks wonderful and distinguished at the piano.

you are hobnobbing with the rich and famous. ...President Ilves (President of the Republic of Estonia) I remember John Cordogan from the Chicago suburban store and the pianist Mihkel Poll
has the cutest vest. The President of Estonia really knows how to stand tall.