Photography & Digital ArtNOV 18, 2020

As A Pianist And A Photographer, I Spent Over 10 Years Looking For Abandoned Pianos In Europe. Here Are My 31 Favorite Photos

These pianos are the soul of the place, objects that are too heavy to be moved, and I unceasingly track them down. For me, even in the middle of a ruined space, the piano never ceases to preserve its power. It is there, enthroned with all its nobility. The production of my series "Requiem pour pianos" doesn’t leave anything to chance. It offers me the privilege of combining my two passions—photography and music.

In 2008, it was love at first sight. In the heights of a French city, I discovered a small 19th-century castle. Everything was destroyed, empty. The place had been looted. On the first floor, I discovered a piano in the middle of a destroyed room. The fireplace was broken. Valuables and treasures had already disappeared. There was only this piano left. I decided to set out on a quest to find these silent giants.

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#1 Requiem Pour Pianos 7 - France

Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France. The castle is now under renovation.

21points

I spent five years patiently establishing my network across Europe in various sections including music, real estate, heritage, photographers, and associations. Since 2014, I have discovered more than a hundred pianos in many places of stunning beauty all over Europe.

#2 Requiem Pour Pianos 30 - Poland

Forgotten piano in an abandoned palace in Poland. Artwork realized in 2018.

19points

#3 Requiem Pour Pianos 9 - France

Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in France.

17points

This series of photos has been exhibited since 2016 in many countries such as France, Italy, Norway, Germany, Slovenia, England, Russia, Canada, the United States, Israel, and India.

Check out my previous posts from my "Requiem pour pianos" series here, here, here, and here. Here, here, here, and here you can find photos of fascinating forgotten places I have stumbled upon on my journey.

You can find more photos on my website or Instagram.

#4 Requiem Pour Pianos 8 - France

Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France. Artwork realized in 2018.

I take a small path in the forest, seeing a medieval castle far away. Vegetation begins to invade the building, the humidity is palpable. I manage to make my way through the tall grass, following the path of the animals. I see the main entrance, I still don’t know if the building is open.

The veranda attracts me, I approach quietly. Across the veranda, I can see a piano, where music and art still had their place a few years ago. I enter easily the building, everything is open, and walk towards the king’s instrument. I look at it for a long time. Si Sol Fa Sol Fa Mi.
I can’t help but play a few notes of Chopin, make it sound one last time before it all goes away.

16points

#5 Requiem Pour Pianos 35 - Belgium

Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Belgium. Artwork realized in 2017.

16points

#6 Requiem Pour Pianos 2 - Italy

Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy.

16points

#7 Requiem Pour Pianos 33 - Poland

Forgotten piano in an abandoned palace in Poland. Artwork realized in 2018.

15points

#8 Requiem Pour Pianos 4 - Germany

Forgotten piano in an abandoned sanatorium in Germany. Artwork realized in 2014.

It is the largest abandoned place I have ever visited. This sanatorium has more than sixty different buildings. A long exploration begins. I discover the buildings little by little. Some are closed, others open. I hope so much that the pianos are still there, accessible and not behind a closed door.

I am lucky, after a few hours, I discover the first piano. And what a scene! It's incredible! It floats like a cloud. Since I started my artistic work on forgotten pianos, it is the first time that a piano reveals itself in such a striking way.

15points