Bilbao awoke this Tuesday to a special soundtrack. Eight grand pianos have been installed in key city locations, transforming public spaces into an improvised grand stage. This is the 'Pianos en la Calle' project, promoted by Fundación Occident and the Maria Canals International Competition, aiming to bring music closer to everyone and encourage cultural participation.
From early morning, the esplanade of the Guggenheim Museum, the Azkuna Zentroa, the Provincial Council (Diputación), Ercilla Street, and the squares of Jado, San Nicolás, and Santiago have been filled with melodies. On a wonderfully spring-like day, numerous tourists, students, and passers-by stopped to listen, surprised by the unusual proposal that encourages setting aside mobile phones to simply enjoy the moment.
Music is one of the most important things we humans have
The initiative is open to anyone who wishes to play, from professional musicians to amateurs or curious individuals who have never touched a key. The objective, according to Iñigo Alberdi, director of the Bilbao Sinfonietta Orchestra (BOS), is "to make music something accessible". Alberdi describes the activity as "a very beautiful" and "commendable initiative" that perfectly exemplifies how music can be an everyday occurrence.
Among those who have dared to sit at the piano are Ander and Hugo. The former, who has been playing for over ten years, participates as a "facilitator" to encourage people. "This piano is ultimately open to everyone, for people to try, those who know how to play and those who don't," he explains. Hugo, a professional saxophonist, also wanted to join the day.
Iñigo Alberdi highlights the unique nature of this instrument for such an event. "The piano's great advantage is that it's a polyphonic instrument," he notes, making it very versatile, "good for accompanying, playing solo, or with an orchestra." Furthermore, he believes it is more accessible for beginners than other instruments.
It's an instrument that offers great satisfaction to those who start learning the piano as well
This ease of achieving rewarding results is one of the keys to its popularity. For Hugo, the experience goes beyond the instrument itself. "I believe music is one of the most important things we humans have, and an initiative in a city that allows people to listen, promotes music, and enjoy it, is the best thing that can happen to a city," he stated while continuing to play.
This cultural collaboration extends beyond today. Alberdi himself has announced that the new season of the BOS will be presented next Monday, a project that also has the support of Fundación Occident, demonstrating a strong commitment to culture in the city.
