Photographer Travels World to Document Old Pianos Deserted in Abandoned Buildings

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Earlier this year, piano-playing photographer Romain Thiery captivated audiences with Requiem for Pianos, an ongoing photo series that spotlights instruments that have been left behind. Since debuting this poignant project, Thiery has traveled far and wide to find more forgotten pianos, culminating in a second edition of the beloved series.

Set in crumbling castles, deserted houses, and empty theaters, the photographs explore the lonely fate faced by the neglected instruments. Though considered debris by many, Thiery views these wooden artifacts as “derelict yet graceful centerpieces” that have simply been “ravaged by the merciless passing of time.”

So, how does Thiery discover these deteriorating subjects? For over ten years, he has spent ample time exploring locations across Europe. “My modus operandi is to scout buildings with abandoned and often broken pianos inside and document them,” he tells My Modern Met. “I have explored several countries including France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Romania.”

Having seen success with this series, Thiery has compiled all of the haunting images in a beautiful book titled Requiem pour pianos. Along with limited edition prints, this livre can be ordered through his website.

In his ongoing series, Requiem for Pianos, musician and photographer Romain Thiery captures haunting photographs of abandoned pianos in desolate locations.

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abadnoned house in Belgium

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned theatre in Bulgaria

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned hotel in Belgium

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned Villa in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned castle in France

Requiem for Pianos Requiem Pour Pianos Romain Thiery Old Pianos

Abandoned military hospital in Germany

Romain Thiery: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

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

Related Articles:

Interview: Photographer Preserves the Frail and Forgotten Beauty of Abandoned Places

Stunning Images of Old, Abandoned Movie Theaters Across America

Giant Feet Crash Through an Abandoned Building’s Crumbling Ceiling

Submerged Church and Abandoned City Hauntingly Peek Out Just Above Water

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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