Heritage, 2011, Volume 4 Page: 31
39 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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cut to the shape of the nine-foot piano, a
and Weber was thrilled as that was his
original design. The finished piece of
glass, which weighed 600 pounds, was
purchased from Romar's Glass in
Galveston and then cut to Weber's speci-
fications by a wholesale glass company in
Houston. The artist fashioned posts from
a salvaged iron fence adding new metal
"blooms" to create table legs evocative of , ' N'
The Grand's cast iron columns and signa-
ture stenciling. The Steinway harp was i
cantilevered off the iron legs, and the "
glass top was anchored approximately -
1-1/2 inches above it. The result was a e ,
remarkable piece of functional art.
Reactions to the new conference room
Steinway table are reminiscent of lyrics
from an Irving Berlin tune: "The song is
ended, but the melody lingers on."
Frequent guest artist, pianist Rob Landes described it this
way:
The lost Steinway is [featured] on three of my CDs, and I'm
grateful to have had that instrument be 'mine' for those record-
ings. When the piano was destroyed, it was as if I had lost a
friend. Seeing it in total ruin broke my heart. To view it now,
like The Phoenix, rising from decay, is a true thrill. I was over-
whelmed by the splendor of its new form.
The Steinway that served as The Grand house piano until
irreparably damaged by Hurricane Ike was purchased at an
estate sale, restored, and dedicated in the theatre in August
1982, with a recital by pianist James Dick, founder of Round
Top Festival in Texas. The "new" replacement Steinway con-
cert grand was originally built in 1908. Used as a concert
instrument, and twice rebuilt, it spent many years at Southern
Methodist University in Dallas. In 1974 the Steinway was
purchased for an in-home piano studio in Houston where it
remained until Landes selected the piano for The Grand.
Landes premiered the "new" Steinway at The Grand's birthday
party and reopening celebration on January 3, 2009.
Now in its second century of presenting quality entertain-
ment to residents and island visitors, The Grand continues to
be recognized as a vital piece of the city's cultural fabric and
as a legend dedicated to excellence-both in structure as well
as programming. The Grand is "The Official Opera House
of the State of Texas" as designated by the 73rd State
Legislature.
Dr. Rosa Stolz is an art marketing and communications consul-
tant, and past president of the League of Historic American
Theatres.
For more information on The Grand 1894 Opera House,
visit www.thegrand.com or call 409-765-1894.Opposite: The opera house's Concert Grand Piano lives on as a functional art
piece. Image courtesy of The Grand. Above: Thoughtful renovations and great
vision have helped preserve the interior and exterior of Galveston's Grand
1894 Opera House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo-
graph by Mark Britain.
PRE 5 SERVING TME PA S T
FOR THE FUTURE
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i\xca nalon atI Sail elipe Sprinng
Vali Verde County. 1998
CONSER
ARCHEOLOGIrewitt
ssiocates,
Inc.
Since 1979
FR V ICElexa Stte Cmetely\ . TIt \ ( Contut\. 199).5
VING OUR
CAL HERITAGEPREWITTAND ASSOCIATES, INC.
Cultural Resources Services
2105 Donley Avenue, Suite 400 * Austin, Texas 78758-4513
Tel: (512) 459-3349 Fax: (512) 459-3851
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Volu m e 4 2 01 1 I TEXAS HERITAGE 311
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, 2011, Volume 4, periodical, 2011; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth254223/m1/31/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.