Donated piano tugs at heartstrings of retired Elgin doctor

A short but very sweet musical performance at an Elgin hospital held special meaning for Roger Bielinski.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra Music Director Andrew Grams played the violin alongside pianist William Wolfram for about 10 minutes Friday at Advocate Sherman Hospital.

The piano was donated to Sherman by Bielinski, a retired doctor in Elgin, following the death of his wife Linda - who used to play. Friday's brief performance was the first time Bielinski heard the piano played at Sherman.

"My wife loved music of all kinds and I know she would have loved to have seen this," Bielinski said. "The last song they played was her favorite and it brought tears to my eyes to hear it."

Grams and Wolfram are going to perform "America's Musical Treasures" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. Musical selections will include pieces by Bernstein, Schoenfield, Rodgers and Copland. Tickets are $25, $40 or $60. For information visit elginsymphony.org.