24 April 2010: Concertgebouw Brugge - Concert with El Bacha on Chris Maene Replica

On the 24th of April 2010, the Pleyel Replica , built by the Chris Maene Workshop, was officially inaugurated in the Concertgebouw Brugge. Again, it was Abdel Rahman El Bacha who got the honour to play the replica (he had also inaugurated the Steinway Replica).

This Pleyel Replica is a copy of the Pleyel n° 9861, an instrument which Chopin had a thing for. It was obvious that Chopin and Schumann would be played on this replica. During the abstract sonates and the more romantic pieces, El Bacha proved once again he is a top artist. He was able to make the instrument sing. The public rewarded the pianist and the concert grand with a standing ovation.

The dream Chris Maene cherished for all those years - to build a historical Pleyel concert grand - became reality, and will definitely become another succes story!