The Government of the Canary Islands has completed the restoration of the piano that belonged to the Tenerife composer Santiago Sabina, a key piece of the musical memory of the archipelago. The instrument will be exhibited at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna at the end of summer 2026.
The piano of maestro Santiago Sabina is ready to resonate once more. The Government of the Canary Islands has completed the restoration work on this unique instrument, which belonged to one of the most influential musicians in the history of Tenerife. The piece, which arrived in a very deteriorated state, has been restored by a nationally recognised specialist and will become part of the public heritage of the islands.
A key figure in Canary Islands music
Santiago Sabina Corona was born in the neighbourhood of El Toscal, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in 1893 and passed away in 1966. He was a musician, composer, orchestra conductor, and educator, and is considered a key figure in the musical development of Tenerife during the 20th century. He was one of the promoters of the Canary Islands Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1935, which later gave rise to the current Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.
Additionally, Sabina was the deputy director and a professor at the Provincial Conservatory of Music of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where he taught Harmony, Composition, Counterpoint, and Fugue. His legacy is so significant that the capital of Tenerife has dedicated a street and a monument to him.
A restoration that goes beyond the technical
The intervention, promoted by the General Directorate of Culture and Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands, has not been a typical restoration. The person in charge of the work has been Víctor Javier Martínez, a doctor in Art History and a specialist in historical instruments. Martínez explained that such projects require in-depth research and extensive musical knowledge.
“What lies behind a restoration is significant research,” noted the expert, who has worked for royal collections and museums across the country. In the case of Sabina's piano, every element has been studied: woods, varnishes, strings, mechanics, and tuning, to restore its original sound.
The instrument was loaned by the maestro's family in a very deteriorated state of conservation. Now, after a meticulous process, it will become part of the collection of public goods in the Canary Islands.
A fitting destination: the Teatro Leal in La Laguna
The restored piano will be exhibited at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna, an emblematic venue on the island. It is expected to be presented to the public at the end of summer 2026. The residents of La Laguna and the entire island will be able to enjoy this instrument, which, in addition to its musical value, is a symbol of Canary Islands cultural memory.
For music lovers, this restoration represents a unique opportunity to connect with the musical past of Tenerife. The piano will not only be an exhibited piece, but it is also hoped that it can be used in concerts and educational activities, thus bringing Sabina's music back to new generations.
The recovery of this piano demonstrates that cultural heritage is not only buildings or paintings; there are also sound treasures that deserve to be rescued. And in this case, the result is a gem that will resonate again in the Canary Islands.
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