CONCERT GRANDS IN LOFOTEN
Lofoten is perhaps primarily known for its beautiful nature and the type of cod we in Norwegian call the skrei that wanders from the Barents Sea to Lofoten to spawn every winter. Less well known is Lofoten's unique collection of concert grand pianos of the Steinway & Sons. The local population today has access to as many as 10 concert grand pianos, which are kept in top condition and used all year round. More people have gradually noticed this - a phenomenon that is referred to as completely unique. A technician from the Steinway factory in Germany stated that Lofoten probably has the highest density (based on Lofoten's population) of Steinway & Sons worldwide! But it has not always been this way.
Read the story behind the Steinway & Sons here >>>
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CONCERT GRANDS ON LOAN
When the Lofoten International Chamber Music Festival was established in 2004, there was not a single Steinway & Sons available in Lofoten. Managing director Knut Kirkesæther then had to borrow two instruments from Musikk i Troms. He transported these - together with his own grand piano of the Blüthner type from 1896 - in a lorry. Before the road to Lofoten became ferry-free, the journey took 16 hours - one way.
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In order to be able to carry out the festivals at all, Kirkesæther repeated the journey for a full four years. This was both time-consuming, expensive and far from risk-free. It would later turn out that he did not have a valid driver's license for a truck. Nor was there an insurance company that would insure the precious cargo.
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Knut Kirkesæther jokingly calls the development since then "black magic". - It is almost unbelievable that this has happened. The quality of each instrument is so consistent and high that the pianists who use them have different favorites. That says something about what we have achieved, he says.
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LOCAL ENGAGEMENT IN LOFOTEN
It is part of history that not a single public Norwegian crown has been used directly to finance the total of 10 concert grand pianos. Organized as a foundation, the festival itself owns two of the instruments. The foundation has also contributed in various ways to the purchases of the other instruments, partly financially, but always as a consultant.