Arts & Entertainment

PIT To Display Unique Airplane Player Piano

The airplane piano was created by Story & Clark/QRS Music Technologies in Seneca, Pa., and an Italian design firm.

The following is a news release from Allegheny County Airport Authority:


From the Backstreet Boys to Beethoven, Elton John to Vince Guaraldi, travelers will be able to enjoy popular songs, holiday music and even live performances from a unique player piano exhibited exclusively at Pittsburgh International Airport through the holiday season.

 

The airplane piano was created by Story & Clark/QRS Music Technologies in Seneca, Pa., and an Italian design firm. It uses digital iTouch technology to play from a catalog of music of more than 6,000 songs. It is controlled via an app on an iPhone or iPad.

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As a head-turning addition to PIT’s Art in the Airport program, it can also be played by musicians during live performances and during the airport’s holiday choral and concert series featuring local schools. The live performances will be held during peak travel times in the early mornings. At other times, the piano will be programmed to play various songs.

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Story & Clark Representative Lori Clutter said since 1900, QRS has been a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of player pianos, piano-based audio and multimedia products and accessories.

 

Joe Ravita, manager of Modern Piano in Wexford and Mt. Lebanon, contacted the airport about displaying the one-of-a-kind conversation piece. “We thought if there’s anywhere to display a piano shaped like an airplane, it would be at Pittsburgh International Airport,” Ravita said. “We’re very excited to share it with travelers in the region.”

 

Valued at about $160,000, the piano has an impressive 17-foot-wide wingspan. It also measures 13 feet 6 inches long from nose to keyboard, and weighs 1,400 lbs. During setup and initial demonstrationon Wednesday, many travelers stopped to take pictures and inquire about the object.

 

“We are pleased to highlight this innovative showpiece and cutting-edge musical technology developed by a company right here in Western Pennsylvania,” said Bradley D. Penrod, Allegheny County Airport Authority President. “We hope it brings smiles to the faces of travelers and airport employees.”

 

The piano will be on display on the Ticketing Level, Landside Terminal, near the US Airways ticket counter through the first week of January. After that, the piano will be exhibited at a large trade show in California.


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