March 28 - World Piano Day

Happy World Piano Day! Every year on March 28, today unites piano lovers across the globe as they celebrate the “king of musical instruments.” 

The day also encourages piano players of all ages and abilities to play in public spaces. 

Musical instruments are grouped together in families. It’s relatively easy to determine what family most instruments belong. This is not the case with the piano, however.  

Some say it’s a percussion instrument. Others say it belongs to the string family. Many would say the piano is unique in that it belongs to both families. 

In 1700, Italian maker of musical instruments Bartolomeo Cristofori invented the piano in 1700. It was first called “clavicembalo col piano e forte.”  

This can be translated to “a harpsichord that can play soft and loud noises.” Eventually, its name was shortened to piano. 

Throughout the years, the piano went from one basic style to many different kinds. 

These include vertical, spinet, console, studio, upright, digital, pianola (self-playing piano), grand, and baby grand. These types of pianos come in a variety of different sizes. 

Most people play the piano because it’s fun, and they love the sound it makes. However, there are also many other benefits to playing the piano.  

Some of these benefits include the following: 

• 
  • It’s a great way to learn how to read music. 
• • It sharpens fine motor skills and improves hand-eye coordination. 
• • It boosts cognitive and intellectual abilities, including improved memory. 
• • It’s great for mental health, as those who play the piano experience less depression and anxiety. 

With so many benefits of playing the piano, today is a great day to sign your kids up for piano lessons, or take them yourself! 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

To celebrate this musical day, pianists give free concerts featuring piano music. Other people that take part in this day include composers, performers, piano movers, tuners, and piano builders.  

There are also many ways for you to participate: 

• 
  • Commit to taking piano lessons. 
• • Thank a piano teacher. 
• • If you are a pianist, gather your courage and play the piano in a public space. 
• • If you took piano lessons as a child, think about reviving your skills. 
• • Attend a piano concert. 
• • Listen to piano music online. 

Learn about the best pianists of all time, such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Russian-born American classical pianist and composer Vladimir Horowitz, English pianist Myra Hess, and Chinese concert pianist Lang Lang. 

In 2015, the German musician, composer, and record producer Nils Frahm, founded World Piano Day. He chose the date of March 28, because it is the eighty-eighth day of the year. The piano has eighty-eight keys. 

To help spread awareness for this day, use #WorldPianoDay on social media. 

  

#WorldPianoDay
#WorthTheTreble 

@steinway 

@YamahaPianosOfficial 

@FaziloliPianos 

@Boesendorferofficial 

@masonhamlin 

@Brodmannpianosusa 

@SeilerPianosUSA 

@Baldwinpianocompany 

@BechsteinPianos 

@KawaiPianosUS 

@bluthnerpianocentre 

@estoniapianos 

@stiuartandsons 

@YoungChangWeberPianos 

@nichecinema

March 28 - Mike Newell

Happy 78th Birthday, Mike Newell! Born today in 1942 as Michael Cormac Newell, this English producer and director of film and television is known for directing the 2005 British/American fantasy/adventure film 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. 

Though also known for directing the 2003 American romance/drama film 'Mona Lisa Smile', Newell is best known for directing the 1994 British romantic comedy film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', starring Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. 

  

The film follows lovable Englishman Charles (Hugh Grant) and his group of friends, who seem to be unlucky in love. When Charles meets a beautiful American named Carrie (Andie MacDowell) at a wedding, he thinks his luck may have changed. 

  

However, after one magical night, Carrie returns to the States, ending what might have been. As Charles and Carrie's paths continue to cross -- over a handful of nuptials and one funeral -- he comes to believe they are meant to be together, even if their timing always seems to be off. 

  

Made in sex weeks and on a budget of £2.8 million, the film grossed $245.7 million at the box office.  It also became an unexpected success and the highest-grossing British film in history at the time, with worldwide box office in excess. 

  

The following year, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 67th Academy Awards in late March 1995. 

  

Additionally, Grant won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The film also won the BAFTA Awards Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for English-French actress Kristen Scott Thomas (Fiona). The film's success propelled Hugh Grant to international stardom, particularly in the United States. 

  

In 1999, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' placed 23rd, on the British Film Institute's 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.  

  

In 2016, Empire Magazine ranked it 21st in their list of the 100 best British films. A 2017 poll of one hundred and fifty actors, writers, producers and directors and critics for Time Out magazine ranked it the 74th best British film ever. 

  

Newell had been active from 1960–present. 

  

#borntodirect 

BFI 

@BAFTA 

@HarryPotterFilm