Giller Pianos

One of the regions foremost piano craftsmen, Andrew Giller has been working for over 35 years in East Anglia restoring fine English and German pianos at his workshop and studios in the idyllic countryside of the Norfolk/Suffolk border, Andrew specializes in the care of the finest makes of piano, in particular those of Steinway, Bechstein and Blüthner.

Most of Andrew’s time is now spent as a concert piano technician travelling throughout East Anglia to tune and service venue pianos, or delivery of his hire instruments. Andrew keeps a stock of six Steinway pianos which include three full size 9’ model D’s (two are currently withdrawn due to new ivory law restrictions). As well as the concert grand stock there are usually smaller ‘boudoir’ instruments for more intimate venues. All of our pianos are cared for and regularly serviced to a very high standard.

Andrew Giller Concert Pianos are seen and heard at international festivals and have been played by many world famous pianists. Pianos are also hired to concert clubs, music societies, theatres and individuals for recitals and performances of all kinds – even at an Ipswich car park for an orchestral concert forming part of the Aldeburgh Festival in 2015. In 2017 Andrew received a prestigious silver disk from Universal Music Group in recognition of the Old Granary Studio’s contribution to the worldwide success of the album ‘Piano Portraits’ by Rick Wakeman.

Recent and annual engagements for our pianos include performances with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; The Royal Albert Hall; Aldeburgh Festival; Latitude Festival; Norfolk and Norwich Festival; Oxford Lieder Festival and Rick Wakeman Christmas tours. Recording projects for piano duo Pascal and Ami Rogé, violinist Lana Trotovšek for Beethoven’s complete violin sonatas, and Chris Guild for the music of Ronald Stevenson.

Aside from concert work a current and personal restoration project is for one of the largest pianos in the world made by Challen in 1935 for the Royal Jubilee. A true British creation and testament to our manufacturing heritage. The aim is to preserve this corner of concert piano history and once again make the iconic piano available for performances, recording and exhibition as originally intended.
Project links and information
Restoration timeline
World’s largest piano built in Harringay
World Piano News article September 2022
Video sample and walk around

Andrew is currently Vice President of the Piano Tuners Association and a member of the Institude of Musical Instrument Technology

Grand pianos for concert hire

1. Yamaha models G1 – 1976, 5′ 3″ Gloss black case

2. Yamaha models G2 – 1990, 5′ 7″ Gloss black case

3. Steinway model O – 1920, 5′ 11″ Brown (rosewood) satin case

4. Steinway model B – 1976, 6′ 11″ Semi-gloss black case

Originally supplied to The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Concerts have been with John Lenehan and Cedric Tiberghien both with the Britten Sinfonia, John Lill, Benjamin Grosvenor, Charles Owen, Katya Apekisheva, John Rutter and comedy with Tim Minchin

5. Steinway model D – 1996, 8′ 11″ – Satin black case (American factory)
A magnificent instrument which is from the New York factory. The piano is fitted with a Pianodisc (PDS 128+) automated player unit which has been used for recording work and computer generated MIDI ‘sampling’ projects. The composer Philip Glass used the piano for a rare solo recital of his works. The frame is signed by Henry Z Steinway.

6. Steinway model D – 1987 8′ 11″ – Gloss black case (Hamburg factory)
This instrument was supplied new to The Ulster Hall, Belfast in 1987 and acquired by us in 2008. Highlights of concert use have been with Barry Douglas, Sir Stephen Hough, Piers Lane AO, Kathron Sturrock, John Lill, George Harliono, Peter Donhoe, Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen duo.

The 1987 Steinway on hire at St John’s Smith Square, Westminster

The piano at St John's Smith Square, Westminster

Prices

  1. 1. YAMAHA – 1976 G1 – £500
  2. 2 YAMAHA – 1990 G2 – £550
  3. 3. STEINWAY – 1920 model O – £600
  4. 4. STEINWAY – 1975 model B – £750
  5. 5. STEINWAY – 1996 model D – £1,000
  6. 6. STEINWAY – 1987 model D – £1,000

These prices include:

  • Single concert use
  • Local travel for venues within 30 miles of our location
  • All pianos are delivered tuned. Please note that an additional charge of £85 is made for any other tunings, such as a pre-concert or an interval request. Please book these in advance and preferably alongside the hire booking
  • Ground floor delivery or, installing the piano onto a low level stage up to 50cm (please arrange for insured stage crew to assist with steps or higher stage level)
  • Hire agreements are on a first come first served basis, but we will try to accommodate extra bookings where possible
  • Requirements outside of these arrangements are by quotation only and typically include additional travel and follow on concerts. Special packages can be arranged to cater for large scale Music Festivals

Yamaha upright and smaller (non Steinway) grand pianos occasionally for hire and subject to availability. Enquiries welcome

Local Piano Sales
For friendly advice and sales of top quality new and second hand pianos in East Anglia please contact or visit Millers Music in Cambridge. Millers are also appointed C. Bechstein agents.