
The Lost Pianos of Siberia
In Search of Russia’s Remarkable Survivors
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Narrated by:
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Catherine Bailey
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By:
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Sophy Roberts
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
Siberia’s story is traditionally one of exiles, penal colonies and unmarked graves. Yet there is another tale to tell.
Dotted throughout this remote land are pianos - grand instruments created during the boom years of the 19th century and humble, Soviet-made uprights that found their way into equally modest homes. They tell the story of how, ever since entering Russian culture under the influence of Catherine the Great, piano music has run through the country like blood.
How these pianos travelled into this snow-bound wilderness in the first place is testament to noble acts of fortitude by governors, adventurers and exiles. That stately instruments might still exist in such a hostile landscape is remarkable. That they are still capable of making music in far-flung villages is nothing less than a miracle.
But this is Siberia, where people can endure the worst of the world — and where music reveals a deep humanity in the last place on earth you would expect to find it.
©2019 Sophy Roberts (P)2019 Penguin AudioCritic reviews
"A sparkling debut by an outstanding and gifted author. A brilliant guide to Russia of the past and the present, set around an extraordinary search for the heart, soul and lost keyboards of centuries gone by." (Peter Frankopan)
"An extraordinary, cadenced journey into music, exile and landscape." (Edmund De Waal)
"A masterpiece of modern travel literature with words that sing from its pages. A definitive exploration of Russia's wild east." (Levison Wood)
Magnificent journey
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In the mid 19th Century, concert pianists were the equivalent of the rock stars of today and they, and their instruments, were in high demand at the Royal Courts of Europe, Russia included. Franz Liszt was the Jimi Hendrix of his day living a flamboyant lifestyle and frequently smashing up his instrument to delight of his ecstatic audience. Some instruments of this time have survived and following the Russian Revolution the the Stalinist Cultural Revolution many were moved, sometimes by road, to Siberia where they remain to this day. Many dissidents and intellectuals were banished to Siberia and for some these pianos were their outlet for artistic freedom and continued to be preserved and played.
This is more than the history of pianos, it is a social and political history of Russia. It is a remarkable story of survival by Sophy Roberts which has been painstakingly researched and lovingly told. Thoroughly recommended.
Wonderful social history of a mysterious land
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Good in parts but too long. Narrator monotonous.
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beautiful and also educational
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Some fascinating stories presented in an interesting order but spoiled by the narration.
Interesting
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Fascinating tale of Siberia's unlikely pianos!
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Would have been a 5-star but for the Russian.
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Quite interesting; very contrived
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