The very first was installed in 2012, Gare Montparnasse in Paris. An instrument that we thought was reserved for conservatories or performance halls, in any case not in a place where hurried travelers and disoriented pigeons mingle. Ten years later, the SNCF prides itself on a sixty pianos installed in the four corners of France, from Aix-en-Provence to Le Havre, via Lyon or Mulhouse.
In 2022, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the system, the SNCF organized on July 1st a series of recitals and concerts in more than thirty stations in France, all sponsored by the composer and pianist André Manoukian. A way to celebrate the operation all in music.
Amateur pianists, hidden talents and vandalism
Especially since for ten years, the operation has revealed talents (thanks to smartphones and the appearance of social networks), has been able to arouse vocations through its numerous competitions and even inspire the 7th art: in 2018 “Au Fingertips” with Lambert Wilson, depicting the seen-and-reviewed story of suburban talent coached to shine in classical institutions. However, the device has not only made people happy: self-service pianos have often been victims of vandalism or damage.
Especially since the SNCF does not intend to stop in such a good way: it should install around forty additional pianos in the coming years.
And for you, does a self-service piano in a station mean a good or bad grade? Have you ever come across a piano in your train station? What did you think of it? Do you have a great story around these pianos in the station? On the contrary, do you remember a symphony that broke your ears? What is the best song to play on a piano in the station? And the worst?
Tell us all about it in the comments or in the form below, your testimonials will be used to write a future article.