1st Annual Mason & Hamlin Piano Festival coming to Hollywood Piano in Burbank

By John K. Adams

If you are a piano enthusiast in Southern California or one from around the world, you undoubtedly know of Hollywood Piano, purveyor of fine pianos since 1928.This is week two in our multi-week series on Hollywood Piano’s 1^st annual Mason & Hamlin Piano Fest and Mason & Hamlin pianos.

Hollywood Piano has been the leading supplier of pianos for the movies from Hollywood’s golden age down through today as well as one of the largest piano retailers in the USA. Mason & Hamlin is one of only 3 remaining American piano makers from the 1800’s and they along with Steinway are the only two companies from that era still hand building their pianos in the USA. Hollywood Piano Is proud to be Mason & Hamlin’s #1 dealer in the country in 2015.

In our article last week we touched on some of the unique features that set Mason & Hamlin apart from other pianos and particularly for it’s main competitor, Steinway. After last week’s first article Hollywood Piano owner Glenn Treibitz said there were people who called and asked, “why have a Mason & Hamlin festival? What is the purpose?”.  In every industry there are some extraordinary products or services we never hear about, or never know about. Some great artists are never recognized until they are long gone. Mason & Hamlin just may be this kind of “best kept secret” in the piano industry even though it has been around nearly as long as Steinway.  These pianos have been loved by many of the greats. Did you know that Composer Maurice Ravel chose Mason & Hamlin pianos for his first tour of America? Of them he said: “While preserving all the qualities of the percussion instrument, the Mason & Hamlin pianoforte also serves magnificently the composer’s concept by its extensive range in dynamics, as well as quality of tone. It is not short of being a small orchestra. In my opinion, the Mason & Hamlin is a real work of art.” Sergei Rachmaninoff on his first American concert tour wrote his success was because of performing on his beloved Mason & Hamlin.

Treibitz said the 1^st Annual Mason & Hamin piano fest is really a celebration of the piano, a chance to hear the lovely tone of these instruments and to celebrate American quality”. Treibitz said, “we want the public to hear for themselves why masters like Ravel and Rachmaninoff chose to make their debut in the USA playing Mason & Hamlin over other brands.  Mason & Hamlin is known for it’s long round sustaining tones created in part by a grand piano rim 30 % thicker than the corresponding Steinway. In fact the Mason & Hamlin 7′ piano weighs as much as the Steinway 9′ piano.  Mason & Hamlin pianos are the best value for the money by any measure at prices that are thousands to tens of thousands less than Steinway. . The materials, quality of workmanship, detail and finishing surpass most other pianos made. Plus they have the exclusive, patented Wessel, Nickel and Gross carbon fiber action which extends the life of their playability by decades beofre needing to service the action.

The Mason & Hamlin piano fest will be a chance to hear the piano being played in many genres. Currently planned are Classical, Jazz, New Age, Broadway and Pop recitals. Also during the festival with be two tribute nights, and a piano competition in Arcadia. The tribute night will honor legendary piano teacher Mario Fenninger.

For information regarding the 1st Annual Mason & Hamlin Piano Festival and its events schedule, go to their website at HollywoodPiano.com or call (818) 954-8500.

Hollywood Piano is located at 323 South Front Street in Burbank and 2084 E. Foothill Blvd, in Pasadena. They are open 10am-6pm, Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm-6pm.