Piano Synonymous with Sinatra Moves to UCLA Campus
A nine-foot Bosendorfer grand piano, renowned for its rich tone and craftsmanship, has recently found a new home at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The piano, which was gifted by the legendary American composer Jimmy Van Heusen to the Sinatra family, has a storied history that spans over half a century.
Upon its arrival at the school, the sleek black Bosendorfer piano, with its four extra keys that give it more resonance, was revealed with a gleaming appearance. The piano had been in storage for over 25 years, having been a part of various events and dinner parties graced by celebrities such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Yul Brynner, Judy Garland, and Frank Sinatra himself.
The Bosendorfer piano was initially a gift from Van Heusen to the Sinatra family. Van Heusen, who wrote iconic songs like "Imagination," "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," "Love is the Tender Trap," "Swinging on a Star," and "Come Fly with Me" for Frank Sinatra, was known to be close to the famous singer. After Sinatra's death, the piano was placed in storage.
In the latter half of the 20th century, the Bosendorfer piano traveled through Southern California, serving as a testament to the enduring bond between Van Heusen and Sinatra. The piano was also featured at a televised celebration of Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday in 1995.
The Bosendorfer piano was later gifted by Tina and Nancy Sinatra to the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. Eileen Strempel, the inaugural dean of the school, expressed excitement about the donation, stating that the piano would be a valuable instrument both historically and musically for students and faculty.
David Kaplan, the Shapiro professor of piano performance, praised the Bosendorfer piano's rich, vibrant tone and its orchestral sound. Tina Sinatra hopes that the Bosendorfer piano will serve as a special tool for UCLA students to practice and perform on, helping them learn the American songbook.
Frank Sinatra's legacy lives on at UCLA, with the Sinatra Performance Award for students, among the past recipients being Gloria Cheng, now an adjunct professor in contemporary music performance. Cheng, who performed "Au bord d'une source" by Franz Liszt at Royce Hall after winning the Sinatra Performance Award, had the honour of meeting Sinatra and receiving his compliments on her performance.
As the Bosendorfer piano begins its new chapter at UCLA, it serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of Jimmy Van Heusen and Frank Sinatra on music and popular culture. The piano's journey, while not fully documented, is a testament to the enduring bond between two legendary figures and their lasting impact on the world of music.
The Bosendorfer piano, previously owned by Frank Sinatra and associated with celebrities like Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Yul Brynner, Judy Garland, and Sinatra himself, is now a valuable source of entertainment and music education at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The piano's rich history, which includes iconic songs written by Jimmy Van Heusen, symbolizes the lasting impact of these celebrities on music and popular culture.
