“Markson Pianos come home: to Mycenae House”

written by Mark Johnson-Brown (manager of Mycenae House, the community centre in Mycenae Road) 
http://www.mycenaehouse.co.uk/

Mycenae House is delighted to announce a new sponsor and partner, Markson Pianos, who have generously gifted a magnificent Danemann 9ft Grand piano to us here at the Blackheath community centre and cultural venue.

Markson Piano’s, the UK’s leading and most reputable piano supplier, have long historic connections with Greenwich. It was founded in Woolwich in 1910 and ran their business from there until the 1970s.

Simon Markson, grandson of founder Louis, has been looking for the right way to re-engage with South East London and to honour his family’s commitment to the area lasting over a hundred years. He says he is delighted to be working with Mycenae House to support the development of its live music programme and educational work.

Now based in Central London, Markson sell, maintain, restore and hire the finest pianos around London – including Concert Halls, West End theatres, TV and film studios and to a wide range of customers including Jools Holland, The Royal Albert Hall, the BBC, National Theatre and Arsenal Football Club.

I recently visited the workshops of Markson Pianos to see the 9ft piano being prepared before its delivery. The piano will be put to use in the centre’s busy schedule of concerts which includes the legendary Jazz Nights Club run by Dave Silk, who is himself a collector of over 50 pianos and the very man who fostered the relationship between Mycenae House and Markson Pianos.

Mycenae House is hoping to attract local superstar pianist Jools Holland to drop by for a quick tinkle on the new ivories to help bed her in. The Danemann piano is believed to be one of only three 9ft concert grands in the whole of South East London.