By George Brown V

Music emanated from among the majestic trees and floated across the lush green lawns, inviting visitors to step into the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park.

Despite the cloudy weather, pianos lit up nature on display, making the pathways lined with plants and flowers even more alive than ever. Crowds gathered around each of the dozen pianos stationed all over the garden, entranced by the musicians whose fingers danced on the keys.

Established in 2014, Flower Piano was held again Sept. 13-22, its ninth annual presence, with only a one-year gap in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event originated from the minds of Sunset Piano founders, Dean Mermell and Mauro Ffortissimo, who suggested this novel idea ten years ago.

“We were already placing pianos in nontraditional settings,” Mermell said. “Rec. and Park introduced us to the folks at the Botanical Garden, who wanted to do something special for their 75th anniversary. We came up with the idea of Flower Piano on the spot and pitched it to their director, Sue Ann Schiff. To our surprise, she liked the idea, and we did it for the first time that summer.”

Mermell and Ffortissimo carefully selected where to place the pianos throughout the garden. Each picturesque location seemed ideal, with grand pianos nestled under the canopy of a stately tree or situated on a natural stage under a pergola. Headlining musicians were scheduled to showcase their talent throughout the 10-day event, while pianists of all ages and skill levels are free to step up and dazzle audiences with their musical expertise.

Flower Piano boasts about 70,000 visitors every year, sometimes receiving up to 15,000 guests in a day, according to Jenn Tapler, the senior program manager at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Some also purchase additional tickets to the Flower Piano Lounge in the Celebration Garden, where they listened to performances while relaxing in comfortable couches and enjoying food and drinks.

Spectator Ricky Ristau arrived early on the morning of Sept. 15 to claim a spot with a perfect view of the grand piano in the Zellerbach Garden in celebration of his daughter’s birthday. Ristau and his daughter Jenny first discovered Flower Piano through Instagram.

“I own a piano and I wish I could play it,” Ristau said. “Flower Piano will be my inspiration to learn.”

Whether listening to the romantic melodies of Rachmaninoff or the recognizable theme song from Jurassic Park, crowds of onlookers smiled as they listened, many swaying to the music. Not only is the event a source of tranquility, but it also connects people.

“I like that this is an open community,” Jenny said, reflecting on the memorable birthday experience. “People of all ages can come. Being part of this with the people I’m with is life changing.”

The pianos in the Botanical Garden are scattered like hidden treasures. One notable scene is a platform raised above a vibrant green pond overgrown with algae. Passersby can’t help but stop to watch intently from the banks across the water.

Daniel Chen, who began playing when he was just five years old, patiently waited for his turn to perform at this particular site. He took the audience on a journey with his moving rendition of “Nocturne in E minor” by Frédéric Chopin under the umbrella of a Coriaria tree, whose branches seem to extend outward to embrace this outdoor concert.

“I like the sense of community here,” Chen said. “Everyone takes turns and acts politely. I’m glad my wife found a flyer for Flower Piano. It’s a great way to play for fun.”

The beauty of Flower Piano is that the stage is open to everyone. Twelve-year-old Beata Ang-Dutta proudly plays “Mozzie” by Elissa Milne on a grand piano featured in front of magnificent trees overlooking the Waterfowl Pond. Ang-Dutta has attended Flower Piano five times in the past.

“I like Flower Piano because it allows people to share their music,” Ang-Dutta said.

Pianists come from far and wide to participate in Flower Piano, including Kris Nicholson, who traveled all the way from Florida. Nicholson began playing the piano at three years old and can play by ear. As he transitioned from “What a Wonderful World” by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss into “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin in a unique mashup, Nicholson illuminated the faces of his audience seated on stone benches in a clearing in the California Native Garden, offering him and his piano an intimate embrace.

“I enjoy the friendliness and togetherness; Flower Piano is all about music and love,” Nicholson remarked.

Learn more at gggp.org/flowerpiano/.