Restored piano returns to Brontë Museum

A piano that once provided the musical backdrop to the lives of the Brontë family is back at their former family home in Haworth where it was last played more than 160 years ago.

The cabinet piano was lent to Mr Grant, the curate of Oxenhope, by Patrick Bront after his literary children's deaths, and sold at an auction in 1861. It then passed through numerous hands before being put up for sale at Sothebys in 1916 as part of the collection of JH Dixon.

Mr Dixon's wife was not satisfied with the offer. She withdrew the piano from the sale, presenting it instead to the Bront Museum in memory of her husband. While valued as an historic relic, little interest was taken in it as a musical instrument and it could no longer be played.

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Now it has been restored by a specialist funded by an American Bront Society member.

Back in playing order and at home in the Museum, Maya Irgalina from the Royal Northern College of Music used the piano to accompany singer Catherine McDonald.

Last night, the piano was also used in a concert of music from the Haworth archive.

Further events being planned so more people can hear the piano.

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