Lili Kraus II, 1946. Frank Hofmann. Gift of the Frank Hofmann Estate, 2010. Te Papa
“Dear friends, may this beautiful instrument bring you happiness and inspiration. All my love, Lili Kraus, London, Christmas 1959.”
So read the handwritten inscription in the piano Michael Parekowhai obtained for On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer currently on display at Te Papa.
In the museum’s collection there are photographs of Lili taken around 1946/47 by two different photographers – Brian Brake/Spencer Digby Studios and Frank Hofmann.
Portrait of Lili Kraus, circa 1947, Wellington. Brian Brake, Spencer Digby Studios. Spencer Digby / Ronald D Woolf Collection. Gift of Ronald Woolf, 1975. Te Papa
Perhaps the piano in these pictures is the same one revamped and giving pleasure and evoking emotion on level 5 at present?
You can find out more about Lili on the Christchurch City Libraries’ blog and Christchchurch Art Gallery blog, and read more about the piano restoration on the NZ Herald site.
