The Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival is proud to be announcing the lineup for the inaugural festival, live from Stratus Vineyards on November 14th at 2pm EST! You can tune in to the stream at facebook.com/opijf

The inaugural Oscar Peterson International Jazz Festival will take place on February 16-17-18th, 2018 in the Niagara Region of Ontario.

For more details, visit here.

On Oct. 25th, Tapestry Opera will present two concerts to support disaster relief efforts around the world on their brand new Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand piano (1 of only 12 in Canada) donated from Clarence Byrd and Ida Chen.

All proceeds will be donated to those who are working to rescue, support, and rebuild the lives of millions affected by recent extreme weather events.

For more details, visit here.

Robert Lowrey Piano Experts & PAL Canada want to invite you to AL Canada Foundation’s tribute concert on Monday, November 6, 2017.  From the people who brought you #BackFortMac The Concert, Music Makes Miracles brings you Supporting Cast – A Tapestry of Music, Dance, and Laughter. Canadian-born, Broadway star Chilina Kennedy, along with Kim Richardson, Matt Dusk, Kayla Diamond, Thom Allison, Travis Knights, Attila Fias and COSI.

For more details, visit here.

Bösendorfer represents the oldest brand of handmade pianos, originating from the 1800s. In the recent years, they have successfully been modernizing specialty pianos by working with interior designers, architects, artist and design firms to provide limited edition, artist/designer and special piano models.

To read the full article by Azure Magazine, visit here.

You will be delighted hearing and seeing, brilliant young pianists, as they experience a once-in-lifetime opportunity to perform on a concert grand piano that is, like no other in the world. The legendary Bösendorfer piano company, on their 185th Anniversary, “simply making the best possible instruments” created their 50,000th piano. The Opus 50.000 is perfect in form and elegance; it combines exquisite sound with the aesthetic beauty of neoclassical Vienna. The Opus 50.000 design is inspired by pianos made for the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris, by Theophil Hansen and Anton Grosser.

Watch their performance here.

The concert at Koerner Hall Sunday Feb. 28 afternoon by the 63 year-old Hungarian-born Sir András Schiff was a ‘love-in’ for both the renowned pianist and for the music of Franz Schubert that Schiff brought to the capacity audience. This was his fifth appearance at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s fabulous performance venue since it opened in 2010. There were no signs that Toronto audiences are tiring of this superb artist. This concert sold out within a day of tickets going on sale. For three hours, the singing tone of the Bösendorfer piano wafted throughout the ambient hall. Schiff gave the music of Schubert an illuminating performance. It is no wonder he has been called “the Zen master among current piano titans”.

Ensemble Vivant, “Canada’s Chamber Music Treasure” (Toronto Star) is a pioneer among piano chamber ensembles.

For over 25 years the group has championed innovative, unique genre diverse programming. Ensemble Vivant’s return to the Welland Port Colborne Concert Series will feature a stunning array of jazz infused styles from Latin to Ragtime to the American Song Book and much more. This exciting, enduring group is also known for its passionate, virtuosic performances along with its fun and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages.

We are proud to provide our Bösendorfer piano to Bravo Niagara for their event – An Intimate Look at ‘Oscar, With Love’

Dear Robert and Co.,

On behalf of the whole Burdock team I wanted to extend a huge thank you for sponsoring our second annual Piano Fest. The week was a huge success, with over 450 attendees over 7 nights, and great show after great show! The artists all fell in love with the piano and were extremely appreciative of your generosity.

Patricia O’Callaghan, Michelle Willis, Gregory Oh, Steve Koven, Lara Dodds-Eden and I all wanted to say personal thank you.

You guys rock! 

Thanks again and I hope we can work together in the future.

Want to see how well our piano could fit your home?  Visit the National Home Show and see our Schimmel piano.  #FDHome #NationalHomeShow

Robert Lowrey attends world’s largest music show – National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)

To learn more about this event, click here.

“Would you like to know how it feels to sink into my new concert bench and feel the vibrations through the keys as I practice? Like the freshest German butter on the freshest German bread, where time fades into the background and you just want more! Loving my new piano as you can tell.”

Susan Hamblin-Dennis
BMus, MMus, ARCT, RCM College of Examiners

A thank you note from our winner – Lauren Esch.  We wish you the best of luck with your future musical endeavours!

Our piano will be featured from Jan 23 – 29th 2017.  For tickets to the Burdock show, visit http://burdockto.com/shows

Once again we are delighted to display our Schimmel piano at Tiffany’s on Bloor. A magnificent piece of work.

The magnificent Bosendorfer Opus 50.000 has arrived at Robert Lowrey Piano Experts and we invite musicians and admirers of fine art to come and experience this celebratory instrument. After nearly 200 years of painstakingly crafting the finest pianos in the world, Bosendorfer decided to make their 50,000th piano an extraordinary one. We invite you to come, see and hear what they accomplished.

We are happy to announce Bösendorfer’s newest piano, Grand Bohemian by Kessler.  Bösendorfer worked with international artist Franco Castelluccio and entrepreneur Richard Kessler—owner of the highly acclaimed Grand Bohemian boutique hotels and a passionate art collector—resulting in a piano which is as much a work of art as it is a musical instrument. For more details, click here.

The fabulous Roland GP 607 Digital Grand arrived at Robert Lowrey Piano Experts on September 29.

You will be amazed at the tone, the touch and the price!

Featuring performances by:

Virtuoso pianist Michael Berkovsky

& Renowned violinist Conrad Chow

in a dynamic & passionate performance of TANGO & JAZZ NUEVO

also featuring winners of 2016 North York Music Festival

Sunday, November 13, 2016 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Graciously hosted at the home of Elise Orenstein & Graham Savage 113 Coldstream Ave., Toronto M5N 1X7

Refreshments & hors d’oeuvres will be served followed by a dessert reception. Please feel free to forward this invitation to friends.

This is a fundraising event to support the North York Music Festival scholarship fund.

A minimum contribution of $125 per person is suggested.

Please purchase tickets at http://www.northyorkmusicfestival.com

Robert Lowrey Piano Experts will have the Bosendorfer Schonbrunn at this luxury car and private jet event on August 13 – 14th.  Alan Cohen will be playing the piano.

Recording artist Sarah Carmosino recorded a song in one of our showrooms today on a Schimmel grand piano.

Hi Mr. Skinner:

Hope all is well. I had the pleasure of meeting you on Saturday and taking advantage of your expertise to buy a piano for my daughter Melody. The piano was delivered yesterday and my daughter was so exited. She had her first lesson with her teacher tonight and her teacher was very impressed with the piano as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your honest and professional advise. Also a very special thanks to you and Mr. Lowery for the beautiful card and the lovely note. It means a lot to us and I am sure Melody will appreciate it for years to come.

Please pass our sincere thanks to Mr. Lowery.

Thanks again for all your help.

Best regards,

May

A thank you note we received from North York Music Festival.  We are very proud to be part of it.

Summer Recital – A Morning of Piano Music From the Studio of Taylor Sutherland

Studio of Taylor Sutherland thanks to Don Sevier & Robert Lowrey Piano Experts for hosting this morning of music!

Dear North York Music Festival Patrons,

At this year’s Festival and awards ceremony, you probably noticed the amazing pianos that our participants had the opportunity to play on. 

Our generous sponsor, Robert Lowrey Piano Experts, not only provided pianos, but ones of the very highest caliber. These were not tired old pianos from a rental fleet! Instead, Robert Lowrey Piano Experts went above and beyond in their support for NYMF, by providing us with beautiful instruments from Bosendorfer, the legendary Austrian maker, from Germany Schimmel Grand pianos, and top-of-the-line digital pianos from Roland and Yamaha. These have a total retail value of nearly $400,000.00! Robert Lowrey Piano Experts is well known for its support of Arts Organizations, twice winning the prestigious, Globe and Mail, Mayor’s Arts Award. 

I would encourage you all to visit their showroom: the selection is enormous, and they will even take you on tours through their piano workshops which are very interesting and educational. There are many affordable reconditioned pianos, entry-level instruments, the finest digital pianos and of course their incredible selection of Europe’s finest.

Mr. Lowrey would like to extend a special invitation to all music enthusiasts to come in, and hear or try, the newly designed Bosendorfer concert grand, The Bosendorfer VC. It is extraordinary! Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0-_RU-Kn_s. 

And be sure to visit Robert Lowrey Piano Experts new website at:   www.pianoexperts.com

On June 17, Azure honoured the winners of the 2016 AZ Awards at a lavish gala at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works. Here are just a few of the evening’s highlights.

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At the 2016 AZ Awards Gala in Toronto on June 17, award-wining firm Castor Design will unveil a stunning installation created specifically for the celebration.

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Violinist Lara St. John has attitude in spades. It’s in the sound of her playing and in the arc of her career.

Her first album cover sparked controversy, prompting many classical-music observers to wonder about her motivations until they heard the passionate Bach performances that accompanied it. Willing to take risks, St. John was among the first to start her own record label in the 1990s. It’s allowed her to call the shots on her recorded repertoire, which has been satisfyingly broad, from Piazzolla to polkas to Mozart.

“St. John’s fiddle is at turns coy and cocky, racy, raw and just plain outrageous.”

“Herskowitz dispatches his considerably hefty role with equal abandon.”

“Practically brawling with her instrument, she saws away faster and faster, leaving her, and many of us in the room, breathless.”

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German piano maker Schimmel has named Robert Lowrey Piano Experts the number one dealer in North America for calendar year 2015. The award recognizes the highest sales volume of Schimmel pianos among all North American Schimmel dealers. “During a challenging past few years in the acoustic piano business, Robert Lowrey has put his considerable knowledge, skill and experience to the test and come out on top once again in the Schimmel dealer network,” says Rob Slayman, Director of Marketing and Sales for Schimmel Piano Corporation. “Rob Lowrey’s top-notch staff and his commitment to the music and arts community in Toronto is a model for other Schimmel dealers. We are pleased to have a long association with Robert Lowrey and are thrilled to honor his efforts with this award.”

Haochen Zhang at George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Sunday, May 8.

It’s been an amazing 72 hours for Toronto piano fans. On Thursday afternoon, Honens Laureate Russian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov gave a most memorable Walter Hall recital under the auspices of Women’s Musical Club of Toronto. This afternoon at George Weston Recital Hall, 2009 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Haochen Zhang made his Toronto recital debut. Writing reviews for these two extremely talented young pianists so close together, I find myself in danger of running out of superlatives — but what a nice problem to have!

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Music is very powerful and can evoke emotions in people. It lifts our spirits in many ways and can do something good.

Put together over five short months, the High Notes Gala on May 16 of this year was a resounding success. Hosted by Jean Stilwell of Classical 96.3, the program featured performances by the Cecilia String Quartet, Richard and Lauren Margison, the Ferretti-Lau Piano Duo, Anastasia Rizikov, Chris Donnelly and Cole Higgins. Music critic and educator Peter Kristian Mose introduced the audience to well-known composers and performers who have struggled with mental health illness. The program also included a dance performance of Decide Soonchoreographed by Bash Hirtenstein.

Robert Lowrey Piano Experts thank all the students who participate in the audition and congrats the following 4 students who are chosen for the Hao Chen Zhang Master Class.  To view their performances, please visit our YouTube page.
• Catherine Ma | Transcendental Etude #4 “Mazeppa” | F. Liszt
• Jason Cheng | Nocturne in Db Major OP 27 No. 2 | Chopin
• Rachel Chen | 32 Variations | Beethoven
• Coco Ma | Sonata No 7 select 1 mvt | Prokofiev

To commemorate the 90^th birthday of Oscar Peterson, one of the greatest jazz pianist ever, Bösendorfer presents the “Oscar Peterson Signature Edition Piano”. 

The “Oscar Peterson Signature Edition Piano” was created in collaboration with the “Estate of Oscar Peterson” which preserves Peterson’s legacy. It is a limited edition of 12 units and is available in size 200 to 290. Each instrument will have a limited edition plate bearing Peterson’s lion logo and signature. Included with each instrument is a book “Oscar, With Love” with never before released compositions, all recorded in his home studio on his treasured Bösendorfer Imperial Piano.

Click here to watch it on CTV News.

Hao Chen Zhang, The Sensational Winner of The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

Toronto Recital Debut
• Date: May 8th, 2016 | 3:00 pm
• Location: George Weston Recital Hall
• Tickets Available: Ticketmaster
• Inquiry: Li Delun | 416-490-7962 or email: info@lidelun.org

Master Class
• Date: May 7th, 2016 | 6:30 pm
• Location: Robert Lowrey Piano Experts
• For tickets to the Master Class or for an audition* to participate, contact Robert Lowrey Piano Experts
• Telephone: 416-423-0434

* Auditions will be videoed and posted to YouTube: YouTube votes will be considered in selection process

Robert Lowrey Piano Experts, Gold Sponsor of Hao Chen Zhang’s Recital and Master Class, attends and speaks at a press conference on April 5, 2016.  To view more details about this event, please click here.

Robert Lowrey and everyone at Robert Lowrey Piano Experts want to take this opportunity to thank Alice Ma and her team at Magenta Design for their hard work and patience in creating the new website for our company. The entire process has been a pleasure (a lot of hard work) but a pleasure. Alice has been very open-minded, co-operative and extremely creative from the beginning. We are happy to give Magenta Design our most enthusiastic endorsement.

On Opening day of The North York Music Festival, Hannes Schimmel, President of Schimmel Pianos (sitting),  and Robert Lowrey, of Robert Lowrey Piano Experts, visited Ella Poret the Festival’s founder. Ella found time for this photo with two of the sponsors of the Festival.

We are pleased to be visited by the President of Schimmel, Hannes Schimmel. We took his picture with Emily Si in front of her new Schimmel grand piano.

Good morning,

The Knabe piano arrived and was set up successfully yesterday.  All went very smoothly, for which we thank you and praise the Lord.

The 7’ Knabe is an absolutely magnificent instrument and we are extremely grateful for your kindness and generosity in replacing the 6’4” Knabe with this new one.

Words will never adequately express our gratefulness, and we realize that the damage to the 6’4” piano was not your fault, yet you offered to provide the upgraded replacement.  How thankful we are.

All of this has been obviously an extra expense to your firm, and it has been to our benefit.  Your suggestion to make the switch is deeply appreciated, and we have become the beneficiaries.  Clearly the Robert Lowrey firm is not only an excellent firm with which to “do business” but your stellar follow-up and service is admirable and highly valued.

Many, many thanks to you for your exceptional service.

Robert Lowrey Piano Experts and Roland Canada are pleased to announce that beginning Saturday March 5, Roland Canada will be offering a special 36-month promotional finance option for a limited time on most Roland Piano models.  Please contact our staff to more details.

Some of the features include:

–  Natural wood cabinet with modern design
– Sound: SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling
– Keyboard: PHA-50 wood hybrid keyboard

These are photographs of a celebration of the Chinese New Year we had at our store last night in support of the Li Delun Music foundation.  It was inspired after the very successful Li Delun East meets West concert at George Weston Recital Hall. Kemin Zhang suggested a smaller affair which took place throughout  Robert Lowrey’s Performance Room, Euroroom, Selection Room, and workshops. There were about 100 guests and delicious food and drink were provided. The entertainment was exceptional and for the most part focused around a beautiful Bosendorfer “Schonbrunn Edition” semi-concert grand piano. The entertainers were fantastic, Pianists/composers David Warrack, and Robert Scott, a string quartet called Toronto Kaopu Ensemble,  magician James Alan, singers June Garber, Adrian Luces and a selection from Bach’s unaccompanied cello suite by Rosy Zhang. Francis Wang played traditional Chinese music on a Chinese dulcimer accompanied by accordion. In a separate room a beautiful 100 year-old player piano was set up and dazzled both children and adults with this first “karaoke” device. Robert Lowrey even had technician Paul Hansen on hand to answer questions about how pianos work and how they are serviced. The evening ended with a breathtaking performance by the sensational and very young pianist, Anastasia Rizikov. Robert Lowrey spoke to begin and close the evening, while the irrepressible Kemin Zhang kept the evening going and everyone laughing Tom Wu President of Kaiyao corporation and Diamond Sponsor of Li Delun also spoke. As the evening wound  down and guests were leaving, Nancy M. Siew Citizenship Judge remarked to Robert Lowrey how satisfying it was to be part of such an enjoyable intermingling of cultures, and that it was a wonderful reflection of Canada’s unique ability to not just absorb cultures but to be strengthened by the process.

Robert Lowrey was proud to be a co-sponsor of the LiDelun “East-Meets West” New years Concert .A beautiful 9foot Schimmel sparkled on stage and in the lobby Alan Cohen provided much appreciate music on a rare Bosendorfer Schonbrunn in the lobby.

Robert Lowrey is proud to support Opera Atelier once again in helping them to reherase for their spring production of Mozart’s Lucio Silla that was performed in Salzburg and at La Scala in Milan.

Robert Lowrey has had a beautiful Schimmel grand piano featured at Holt Renfrew downtown Toronto for their Christmas season (2015).

We have been honoured, and surprised, to have received the 2015 Christmas and New Year Card by Mr. Taavi Rõivas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia.

Robert Scott recently selected a piano from Robert Lowrey Piano Experts.  We were all very pleased to be entertained by his fabulous playing and completely agrees with Michael Buble’s comments.

“Robert is one of the most dynamic players I have ever had the opportunity to work with.  He is simply a force of nature.”

– Michael Buble

We were pleased to support Tapestry Opera as they presented a weekly series of performances inspired by the J.M.W. Turner Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario during November 2015.

Robert Lowrey and Bösendorfer are proud to sponsor the CD launch of Oscar with Love at Koerner Hall, Dec. 11, 2015.

Some of the best pianist from Canada and round the globe will gather to play Oscar Peterson’s composition on Oscar Peterson’s own Imperial Böesendorfer.

At this performance, a special limited edition Oscar Peterson Bösendorfer Grand Piano will be introduced which will recreate Oscar Peterson’s original performances.

Free instruments aren’t hard to score, but they’re rarely worth fixing.

At the back of Rob Lowrey’s piano shop, there’s a room he jokes should have a sign hanging over it, warning pianos: “Abandon all hope here.”

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Estonia has received the medal Honour and Glory of Estonia, presented by maestro Arvo Pärt at the Keila-Joa Manor.

Our friend Anastasia Rizikov stopped in for a visit and spent some time impressing us on a Bösendorfer.

This Bösendorfer 214 was purchased from our store and looks absolutely stunning in it’s new home, wow!

Robert Lowrey is proud to have been a supporter of Gilda’s Club’s  “It’s Always Something” since its inception.