SF Botanical Garden sets garden to music for 75th anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's Botanical Garden is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Part of the fun is something they call Flower Piano that began Thursday and runs through July 20.

Within the 55 acres of San Francisco's Botanical Garden, something magical has appeared.

Project organizers Dean Mermell and Mauro Ffortissimo are the duo behind the idea of having 12 pianos for 12 days nestled among nature.

"Having the piano out of the living room, out of its normal context, it makes people suddenly realize the piano is a special thing," Mermell said.

Karina Rivero is a tourist from Mexico.

"Botanical gardens are just perfect for inspiring music and people inspiring each other," Rivero said.

The pianos have come from many places. Mary Marchetti's mother bought one of them 75 years ago and Marchetti has donated it as the Botanical garden celebrates its 75th anniversary.

"I'm not tearful. I'm just so happy its out here in this a beautiful setting," Marchetti said.

"We really tried to put the pianos in the most dynamic spaces in the garden," said Brendan Lange of San Francisco's Botanical Garden.

Over the next few days there will be professionals, but there will also be a lot of amateurs.

ABC7 News' Jonathan Bloom came out to tickle the ivories and his performance and even inspired a young passerby to try his hand.

"We had no idea. We just heard music coming when we were walking around and thought it was magical," said San Francisco resident Lauren Lippman.

She says it's as if the entire garden has been set to music.