I recall being told it was given to my ex when she was very young,
maybe 3 years old, purchased used, but in good playing shape. The piano
was the instrument of choice for many mid-century families of some
means. Sometimes there were lessons, sometimes popular songs or hymns
filling carpeted homes - or sometimes, for years silent neglect. Shortly
after our marriage the Wurlitzer came to live in our home.
My ex's Wurlitzer survived 2 children, divorce,
numerous re-locations, subsequent marriages, step-children, a second
divorce and for reasons of space, inconvenience, and simplicity, it
landed more often than not in my home where it was rarely silent for a
whole day. At the end of all my working days this piano would rejuvenate
me. At times it was the only presence I could trust to always be there,
ready to let me play out my mood, without judgement, no matter what. I
wrote hundreds of songs on this Wurlitzer. It's an instrument with
personality - a finicky F# hammer that sometimes will not return to
position - and a twang indicating the need of a staged tuning to pitch -
perfectly aligned with my own flaws and abilities. I am grateful to
have enjoyed this worthy companion.
Today I bought a very fine baby grand. Tomorrow the Wurlitzer will make its way back to my ex.
The
native Americans say musical instruments have a soul that when played
let the player communicate with the spirit world. I'd be inclined to
agree.
The video shared with this note is a song written and
performed on the Wurlitzer in memory of several artists I had the
pleasure of working with.
