Concert pianist thanks West Cork community for saving his 120-year-old grand piano

Piano virtuoso David Syme, an American who lives near Castletownbere in West Cork, was faced with having to sell his beloved 1900-built concert grand piano last October after losing 50 concert dates due to Covid lockdowns

David Syme: 'I make most of my living by touring internationally and during lockdown, I lost about 50 concert dates, and had to cancel our 'Living Room Concerts' series. I was so bereft and feared having to sell the piano.' Picture: Anne Marie Cronin Photography

An international concert pianist who feared having to sell his beloved 120-year-old piano during lockdown has thanked the public for helping to save his “musical voice”.

Piano virtuoso David Syme, an American who lives near Castletownbere in West Cork, where he has performed his 'Living Room Concerts' in his home for 15-years, was speaking ahead of his inaugural artist-in-residence concert at UCC on Friday.