Haunting Photos of Deserted Pianos in Abandoned Buildings

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Palace in Poland

In his powerful series, Requiem for Pianos, French artist Romain Thiery beautifully explores the lonely lives of forgotten pianos. Pairing two of Theiry's artistic passions—photography and piano-playing—this touching project presents the instruments through a personal and poignant lens.

Requiem for Pianos is set in several abandoned buildings across EuropeOnce beautiful castles and stately homes, these sites have since been deserted, leaving behind nothing but crumbling walls, cracked windows, and, as Thiery has discovered, hoards of discarded pianos. “Sometimes with some of its keys missing, sometimes completely dismantled but always sitting imposingly,” each old piano rests quietly among the ruins, waiting patiently to be found.

Thiery was inspired to shoot this series by his own experiences as a dedicated pianist. “Tirelessly practicing Chopin on my grand piano in my house, I am also a photographer who captures pictures of the instrument lying there and further intensifying the mystery surrounding each place,” he tells My Modern Met. “Through my images, the musical notes of these abandoned pianos reason again in these buildings in ruins, giving free reign to our imagination.”

So much more than a musical instrument, each piano photographed by Thiery offers viewers an intimate glimpse into a little-known and long-since-forgotten history.

Photographer and pianist Romain Thiery captures powerful shots of old pianos in abandoned buildings.

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Palace in Poland

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Castle in Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Castle in France

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Ukraine

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

France

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Ballroom in Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Hospital in Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Palace in Poland

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

House in France

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

France

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Castle in France

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Germany

Old Piano Abandoned Buildings Romain Thiery Requiem for Pianos

Music school in Ukraine (Chernobyl exclusion zone)

Romain Thiery: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Romain Thiery.

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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