Amman - Steinway Piano, a concert held at the Al-Hussein Cultural Center on the 17th of December 2008, was an exceptional recital by award-winning pianist Peter Donohoe.
The event was sponsored by bmi, the second largest airline at London Heathrow, following the donation of a unique Steinway piano by Amman Mayor Eng. Omar Maani and Dr. Omar Toukan to the National Music Conservatory. The donated instrument is a valuable contribution to the conservatory as Steinway Pianos are renowned for their rare quality of sound and touch, and are the 1st choice of performers around the world.
“Such culturally-rich events and contributions promote the local arts in Jordan, taking them to another level, especially on the international stage,” said Maysa Layyous, sales manager at bmi Jordan.
The concert featured a solo by Donohoe, performed on the Steinway piano, of Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Franz Lizt's Fantasia on Hungarian Folk Melodies. Other 19th century pieces played at the event included Schubert's overture to Rosamunda and Mikhail Glinka's Russlan and Ludmilla.
Peter Donohoe is an English pianist of international renown, whose commanding technique and vitality in a broad repertory earned him the International Tchaikovsky Competition Award, the International Franz Lizt Piano Competition, and the much-coveted Gramophone Award, among others.
• bmi acquired former BA franchise carrier BMED in February 2007, successfully integrating its network of 17 mid haul destinations in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa within seven months. The move marked the biggest ever expansion of bmi’s route network and coincided with the launch of a new enhanced product and service on mid and long haul routes.
• In September 2007 lie-flat beds were introduced in business on long haul wide-bodied aircraft. The electronically-operated beds offer 78-80 inches seat pitch and inflight entertainment through 15-inch mounted armrest screens and noise cancelling headsets. A full and varied selection of modern international cuisine is prepared by a fully qualified onboard chef.
• bmi is the second largest airline at London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest and best connected airports. Across its full mainline and regional network, bmi operates 1,800 flights a week.
• bmi is a member of Star Alliance, established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The members are Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Air India, Continental Airlines and TAM have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 18,100 daily flights to 975 destinations in 162 countries.
