It all started with a small upright piano in Montparnasse station in Paris.
From the outset, gossips found the idea absurd.
Rudeness, scrambles 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, the famous Yamaha upright pianos are enthroned in no less than 60 stations and the SNCF announces that around forty others will be provided with them in the near future.
On average, it is a new passer-by who every five minutes settles behind the keyboard.
Who an experienced pianist, who a beginner, who a student who does not have a piano at home and finds it very convenient to be able to do his scales at the station.
Or even a TGV Lyria controller who between two trains
The eclecticism of the pieces played reflects the diversity of approaches to music among these passers-by.
From the conservatory student to the rapper accompanying himself with a suite of chords of his own, all seek without saying so to confront the public, because the crowds quickly form around the performers, preferring to enjoy a few minutes of music. rather than waiting for their train clinging to their drinking.
Of course, we often hear clichés like
The Letter to Elise
or
Ma Petite
est comme l'eau
.
However, the quality is often there.
“
Stations have always been places of life and pianos are part of it
explains Marlène Solveg, director of Gare et Connections, the SNCF entity in charge of stations and platforms.
Moreover, the “
boss of the stations
”, as she is called internally, has decided to instill more culture there.
ON VIDEO - "Piano at the station": a controller-musician on the keyboard
These buildings are indeed leading architectural ensembles, in the same way as museums or auditoriums.
The idea is gaining ground, like this exhibition organized at Lille station in partnership with the city museum, which was attended by a large audience.
Marlène Solveg intends to multiply the initiatives that will be referenced in a small booklet published each quarter.
Thus until August 31, travelers will be able to admire in the stations of Rennes, Nantes, Vannes and Paris Montparnasse, photographic works chosen by the Galicie photo festival.
Likewise in Avignon TGV, Arles, Marseille Saint Charles and Paris Gare de Lyon stations, a fine selection of photos exhibited at the Rencontres d'Arles festival.
A total of fifteen exhibitions are planned,
