It all started with a small upright piano at Montparnasse station in Paris. Initially, the gossips thought the idea was absurd. Rudeness, fights and other noise pollution were predicted. What happened next proved them wrong. the piano operation at the station was a real success. From now on, Yamaha’s famous upright pianos will be installed in no less than 60 stations, and SNCF announces that they will be provided to around forty more in the near future. On average, it’s a new passer-by who sits behind a keyboard every five minutes. The experienced pianist, the beginner, the student, the one who doesn’t have a piano at home and finds it very convenient to be able to play his scales at the station. Or even the conductor of the TGV Lyria who takes a break between two trains with a great flight (see our video below).
The eclecticism of the pieces played reflects the variety of approaches these passers-by have to music. From a conservatory student to a rapper who accompanies himself with a set of chords, everyone goes without saying to face the public as crowds quickly form around the performers, preferring to enjoy a few minutes of music rather than wait. their train clings to their drinking. Of course, we often hear such clichés as Letter to Eliz Where? My babyit’s like water. However, the quality is often there. “ Stations have always been places of life, and pianos are a part of that explains Marlène Solveg, director of Gare et Connections, the SNCF entity responsible for stations and platforms. Besides, “ patronage of stations as it is called internally, has decided to instill more culture there.
VIDEO – “Piano at the station”. supervisor-musician on the keyboard
These buildings are truly leading architectural ensembles, like museums and auditoriums. The idea is gaining ground, like this exhibition organized in collaboration with the city museum at Lille station, which was attended by a large audience. Marlène Solveg intends to multiply the initiatives that will be mentioned in the booklet published every quarter. Thus, until August 31, travelers will be able to admire the photographic works selected by the Galician Photo Festival at the stations of Rennes, Nantes, Vannes and Paris Montparnasse. Likewise, a great selection of photos displayed at the Rencontres d’Arles festival at Avignon TGV, Arles, Marseille Saint Charles and Paris Gare de Lyon stations. In total, about fifteen exhibitions are planned so that the stations are no longer just places of passage.
Source: Le Figaro
