An acclaimed international pianist has been reunited with the grand piano he gave to a South Yorkshire church almost a decade ago.
Australian-born David Barnard was based in Sheffield when he inherited the Bechstein piano from a friend.
But because he had nowhere to keep it, and was also intending to return to Australia to further his musical career, he decided it should be put to good use in a new home.
At the time he was musical director of Swinton-based Bel Canto choir and performing regularly with them at St Margaret’s Church in Swinton, which is where it was agreed the piano should stay.
That is where the piano has been ever since, playing an important role in services and concerts for the community.
To mark its arrival in 2012, David performed a thanksgiving recital, after which he relocated to Australia and more recently to New Zealand, working there and around the globe as a performer, vocal coach, chorus master and artistic administrator.
Now, after almost a decade away, he has returned to South Yorkshire and launched DAB ||: Music, providing music services and studio space to the Sheffield creative sector alongside performance coaching, training and development opportunities.
He was finally reunited with his faithful piano when he played again at St Margaret’s, with a programme including pieces by Philip Glass, Poulenc, Mozart and Albeniz.
Barnard said: “The piano represents a gift of friendship and music that now forms the basis of the active community in and around St Margaret’s Church. After so many years apart, it felt very good to be playing it again and I look forward to many more events at St Margaret’s in the future.”
