Stolen Pianos Follow Jews of France: Theses Musical Instruments Recovered
A piano, standing tall and echoing tunes, far from being ordinary furniture, is quite the household ruler. Whether nestled upright in a cozy living room or dominating a wealthy apartment's space, its presence is undeniable. Daily routines often revolve around it, more so than the family table. So when the maestro that brought it to life vanishes, leaving Auschwitz in his wake, a piece of the house's essence vanishes with him. But the melodies linger on, haunting memories in a somber symphony of a life cruelly snuffed out.
In her book, Stolen Harmonies, published on May 15, Caroline Piketty narrates this tale. Specializing in the spoliation of French Jews, Piketty, the historian and archivist, shining a light on a dark chapter - the theft of pianos by the Nazis during the Occupation. An estimated 8,000 grand and petit pianos were pilfered, many shipped off to Germany like precious artworks, under the watchful eye of a specialized commando - the Sonderstab Musik.
Little did some prisoners from the Drancy camp know, they would be handling instruments they once called their own, as they were tasked with the gloomy duty of transporting the stolen pianos. Dutch historian Willem de Vries has meticulously documented the journey of these "stolen harmonies" in his book, Commando Musik. A symposium, held at the Philharmonie de Paris in April 2022, also delved into this distressing topic.
While subscribers can read more about the fate of these pianos, it's clear that their disappearance represented a dismal loss for the families from whom they were taken. In many cases, these "stolen harmonies" became pawns in the Nazis' game of cultural and economic domination, symbols of the wealth and cultural legacy they sought to confiscate and exploit.
- In her book, Stolen Harmonies, published on May 15, historian and archivist Caroline Piketty reveals the tale of pianos stolen by the Nazis during the Occupation.
- An estimated 8,000 grand and petit pianos were pilfered, with many shipped off to Germany like precious artworks, under the watchful eye of a specialized commando - the Sonderstab Musik.
- Dutch historian Willem de Vries has meticulously documented the journey of these "stolen harmonies" in his book, Commando Musik.
- While subscribers can read more about the fate of these pianos, it's clear that their disappearance represented a dismal loss for the families from whom they were taken.
