·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨

June 10, 2025

At ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨’s Faculty of Music, the instruments we play shape the music we make, and this spring, we had the rare opportunity to choose a new concert grand piano.

Thanks to the generous support of ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ music donor Liz Motz, students, faculty, and staff were invited to participate in a Piano Try Out—a special, behind-the-scenes event where three world-class pianos were brought in for hands-on comparison and evaluation. 

Dean Johnston Turner gave a brief overview of each piano—the origin, how the instruments were crafted, where the wood was sourced, etc.—and then the audience heard piano performance students and piano faculty play each instrument and speak about what they were hearing and feeling. Terms like, “action,” “timbre,” “dynamic contrast,” “consistency across ranges,” “bright and dark,” and “warmth,” were discussed and heard, and audience members learned about and heard the subtle differences between each instrument. They even voted on their favourite. 

This was a unique experience for our students too. Each spoke with giddiness about the pianos, “I’m like a kid in a candy store!” and “We can’t go wrong. Each of these instruments is phenomenal.”

After thoughtful testing, playing, reflection, and discussion, the Faculty and students agreed and we have selected an astonishing instrument: the Steinway D. Though not brand new (it is 3-years old), this particular piano has been played by world-renowned artists Lang Lang, Max Richter, and Marc-André Hamelin, and was the most requested piano for performances at Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall.

Hand crafted by the legendary Steinway & Sons, the instrument is known for its rich tone, bold projection, and exceptional responsiveness—perfect for solo recitals, concerti, and the wide range of performances that define musical life at ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨.

In honour of her late husband, Tom Motz, Liz has named the Steinway—a beautiful tribute that will live on through generations of students, faculty, and guest artists.

Faculty and students also fell in love with the Bösendorfer 280VC, known for its warm, lyrical tone and rare, enveloping sound. It was an extremely close second, but in the end, the Steinway seemed to be the most versatile. We would love to add this stunning “boutique-crafted” Bosendorfer instrument to our collection in the future, should support become available.

Special thanks to Remenyi Music, who provided the Bösendorfer and Yamaha pianos, and to everyone who helped make this moment possible.

With this new Steinway D, we’ve made more than a purchase—we’ve made an investment in the future of music at ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨.