Kuwana, October 16 - In the fall of 1959, the Ise-wan Typhoon, the strongest storm to hit Japan in recorded history, devastated Greater Nagoya. The typhoon’s storm surge broke through levies and flooded low-lying areas. The Ise-wan Typhoon took over 5,000 lives and destroyed almost 150,000 homes. Contributing to the relief effort, American movie star Shirley MacLaine and her husband Steve Parker donated money used to purchase pianos for schools in towns devastated by the typhoon.

The last spring, staff at Kuwana City’s Rikkyo Elementary school discovered one of these pianos and had it refurbished with the assistance of the Kuwana Lions Club.

To celebrate the restoration of the “piano of love” and its role in helping the children of Kuwana City after the Ise-was Typhoon, the Nagoya American Center brought internationally renowned pianist Bennett Learner to play the piano. Mr. Lerner’s concert at Rikkyo Elementary School featured work from composers including Aaron Copland and Claude Debussy. Rikkyo’s students sang along when Mr. Lerner played “Hamabe no Uta (Seashore Song)” and their official school song as a finale. Following his main performance in the school auditorium, Mr. Lerner moved to the Rikkyo Kindergarten, where he played a lively rendition of “The Cat and The Mouse” by Aaron Copeland.

That evening, Mr. Lerner performed in front of a large crowd at the Kuwana Community Hall. Mr. Lerner performed rare songs written by 20th century composers, including former acquaintances like Aaron Copland. Between songs, Mr. Lerner discussed how he would often find rare and forgotten compositions in his friend’s archives. Playing the “piano of love” for the evening’s softer songs, Lerner commented that despite its age, the donated piano provides a “sweet sound” making it pleasant to play.

The Kuwana Lions Club, as well as the students and staff of Rikkyo Elementary School, made this unique event possible.