A 99-year-old unique concert grand piano bought by organist and music director Andrew Puntel has made its way to St. John Neumann Parish. Joseph Myers, in Catholic Philly, told of its needle-in-a-haystack route to Bryn Mawr.

Puntel started browsing online sales for a top-notch parish piano in July 2020. Msgr. Michael J. Matz, pastor, wanted the two digital pianos replaced with something more authentic.

Puntel could hardly believe his luck when he happened upon the cherished Gulbransen.

The fact that it was extremely accessible, in a basement apartment in Bethlehem, only increased the sense that its link was somehow destined.

“In my 20 years as a parish music director and music educator, I never once encountered a Gulbransen instrument,” Puntel stated. “I have played Cunningham, Steinway, Bösendorfer, and Yamaha [models], but the acquisition of this Gulbransen instrument was a true leap of faith.”

The piano comes from the famous Chicago-based Gulbransen line, an esteemed manufacturer. The company made only several of the eight-foot versions, owing to the relatively high cost of their handmade construction.

“The Gulbransen concert grand has reanimated and uplifted our rhythms as a parish community in tender and powerful ways,” said Puntel.

Read more about this rare piano in Catholic Philly.

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Gulbransen piano company also made player pianos.