The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier

Great read!

In this book, the author describes his discovery of a piano repair shop in his quartier in Paris, and his decision to purchase a used piano, take piano lessons, and rediscover his love of piano music. Through his love of piano, he makes connections with other individuals in his quartier and elsewhere.A lover of music, and perhaps a lover of Paris, might appreciate this book.

I heard an excerpt of this one day on the radio, and from that moment on, I just had to hear the whole thing. I searched high and low, and eventually found an affordable copy on tape here on Amazon!After getting it and converting it to CD, I began what would be one of the most fulfilling and worthwhile journey's.The idea of an audio book appeals to me on a different level to a printed book. What I find in an audio book is a much less intense engagement with the story, and often a less exciting journey through the character's experiences and the life. Normally, I would listen to an audio book to switch off; to quieten or distract my mind. But what I found in this audio book was edge of the seat, 'what's gonna happen next?' type of engagement with the book.Not that it is an active or even mysterious story; I mean, after all, it is about a guy who walks past a piano shop for weeks and weeks before deciding to buy one! But the passion with which it is written and read is phenominal! I am a musician also, so to hear someone speak of an instrument (in this case a piano) as though it were a living thing struck a 'chord' with me from the outset!It is a long story (about six hours), so I found myself trying to fit listenings in around other things, which didn't always work well for the family, but they got through somehow. Interwoven into the story is this amazing appreciation for and vast knoweledge of the history of the piano. The writer holds these instruments in such revere that when the characters of the story sit at a truly great instrument to play even the most basic piece of music, I found my own throat drying and my own heart rate quicken. The telling of this story really does transport you to France, and as a person sits at a Steinway or even a broken down no name upright, you can feel the instrument in the room with you (which is great, because not a note of music is found on the telling!)I'm not going to go into the story, because that's why the book was written (for people to read it (or in this case, hear it) for themselves), but I will say that it is truly an amazing journey of history and modern day music making that takes you with it every step of the way. I look at my own piano with such a different respect and appreciation now than I did before being treated to this amazing story. I know that it came from Germany in 1903, and that it is one of only a handful to come from the 'factory' in Berlin; information I would not have thought to consider before listening to this amazing story!It is highly recommended. If you are a musician of any worth with a love for your instrument, you will get this book (as in understand it) from the first chapter.

This is a wonderful book that describes a retired American who lives on the left bank who decides to resume playing the piano for his own enjoyment. He buys a used grand piano from a local shop and becomes friends with the owner. He finds a teacher, discovers a neighbor who is a professional accompanist, gives a history of the development of the piano, and attends master classes. The book is a quick read since the pages are narrow. I am not a musician but am addicted to listening to classical music. The book was informative but the deeper story is the relationships between various musicians and piano lovers who the author encounters.

Thad Carhart has written a charming story about his love-affair with the piano which should appeal to both amateur and professional musicians. An ex-patriot American writer raising a family in a more remote corner of Paris' Left Bank, he daily passes a quaint piano shop while taking his children to school.Curiosity leads him inside, only to be abruply dismissed by the grumpy owner. A later attempt fares better, when he is be-friended by Luc, the younger man in position to take over the business. He politely informs Carhart that to do do business with them he needs an introduction from one of their customers! As startling as this seems to Americans reading this slim volume, it sets the stage for more than just buying a used piano from a venerable old Paris shop: it proves an introduction into a totally different Parisian way of doing business. Carhart is gradually drawn into Luc's workshop where pianos of all ages and condition repose, waiting to be drawn back to life. Carhart is seduced by the stories the instruments have to tell, and by Luc's uncanny ability to revive them to play again for a new generation. How Carhart finds his own instrument will warm the hearts of all pianists. A long list of characters float in and out of the shop, including a burly delivery man who casually plays a piece by Couperin (standing up!) while waiting to finish his business, to the strange young Dutchman who tunes for Luc, and spends his nights sleeping in railway coaches at various Paris train stations. The story contains alot of technical information about pianos that most professional pianists should know (but probably don't!), and it should prove interesting for others who know little about the actual workings of the instrument. There is a charming restraint about the work, especially about getting to know people slowly and letting the personal information about themselves mature along with the friendship. It proves a valuable insight into the daily life of Parisians, and explains many of the stereotypes about the French being cold to outsiders. All you need in an introduction!

Parece que un caracol ha tenido un festín con la tapa del libro. El resto está decente. No creo que se pueda describir como MUY BUENO el estado del libro

アマゾンで中古出品の邦訳版を購入して読み、内容に共感したので、今回、新品の邦訳版とセットでこの原版をプレゼントに利用した。読み比べて、邦訳版の優秀な翻訳が際立っていた。

Excellent story. For piano players a must. For non piano players still very entertaining. True story or not you can tell that a lot of research was done to write this novel. All prizes and praises are well deserved.I can relate to Thad's experiences as I too am a U.S. expat that's been living in Europe for many decades.

I came across this book whilst searching for something else. I am interested in all things to do with pianos and am an adult learner. I have wanted to learn to play since childhood but my parents couldn't afford lessons but I am learning now so no looking back. I own a black, upright Yamaha but aspire to a french-polished grand. I sit at my piano most days, sometimes for up to 4 hours and don't care what I am doing with it so long as I can be near to it. I do not find scales boring and I enjoy every second I am with my piano. If this sounds like you, you will enjoy this book. It is for anyone who just loves the instrument and wants to talk about it and look at it in whatever form it comes. I also learned quite a bit too.

favorite book! Arrived quickly and well packaged. Many thanks.