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.
More info: romainthiery.fr | Instagram | Facebook
#1 Requiem Pour Pianos 7 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France. The castle is now under renovation.
#2 Requiem Pour Pianos 30 – Poland
Forgotten piano in an abandoned palace in Poland. Artwork realized in 2018.
#3 Requiem Pour Pianos 9 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in France.
#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.
#5 Requiem Pour Pianos 35 – Belgium
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Belgium. Artwork realized in 2017.
#6 Requiem Pour Pianos 2 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy.
#7 Requiem Pour Pianos 33 – Poland
Forgotten piano in an abandoned palace in Poland. Artwork realized in 2018.
#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.
#9 Requiem Pour Pianos 42 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France.
#10 Requiem Pour Pianos 85 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France. Artwork realized in 2019.
#11 Requiem Pour Pianos 11 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in France. Artwork realized in 2014.
#12 Requiem Pour Pianos 93 – Austria
Forgotten piano in an abandoned house in Austria. Artwork realized in 2019.
#13 Requiem Pour Pianos 32 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Germany.
#14 Requiem Pour Pianos 70 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France.
#15 Requiem Pour Pianos 102 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France. The castle is now under renovation.
#16 Requiem Pour Pianos 10 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France.
#17 Requiem Pour Pianos 38 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned ballroom in Germany. Artwork realized in 2018.
#18 Requiem Pour Pianos 6 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Germany. Artwork realized in 2017.
#19 Requiem Pour Pianos 96 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy. Artwork realized in 2020.
#20 Requiem Pour Pianos 66 – France
Forgotten piano in an abandoned castle in France.
#21 Requiem Pour Pianos 97 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy.
#22 Requiem Pour Pianos 53 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned sanatorium in Germany.
#23 Requiem Pour Pianos 31 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned ballroom in Germany. Artwork realized in 2018.
#24 Requiem Pour Pianos 99 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Sicily. Artwork realized in 2020.
#25 Requiem Pour Pianos 28 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned ballroom in Germany.
#26 Requiem Pour Pianos 100 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy.
#27 Requiem Pour Pianos 40 – Belgium
Forgotten piano in an abandoned building in Belgium. Artwork realized in 2019.
#28 Requiem Pour Pianos 90 – Austria
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Austria. Artwork realized in 2019.
#29 Requiem Pour Pianos 86 – Austria
Forgotten piano in an abandoned house in Austria. Artwork realized in 2019.
#30 Requiem Pour Pianos 75 – Italy
Forgotten piano in an abandoned villa in Italy.
#31 Requiem Pour Pianos 29 – Germany
Forgotten piano in an abandoned mansion in Germany.
Follow Us
