Try free for 30 days

Preview
  • The Lost Pianos of Siberia

  • In Search of Russia’s Remarkable Survivors
  • By: Sophy Roberts
  • Narrated by: Catherine Bailey
  • Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (21 ratings)

1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Lost Pianos of Siberia

By: Sophy Roberts
Narrated by: Catherine Bailey
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Siberia’s story is traditionally one of exiles, penal colonies and unmarked graves. Yet there is another tale to tell.

Dotted throughout this remote land are pianos - grand instruments created during the boom years of the 19th century and humble, Soviet-made uprights that found their way into equally modest homes. They tell the story of how, ever since entering Russian culture under the influence of Catherine the Great, piano music has run through the country like blood.

How these pianos travelled into this snow-bound wilderness in the first place is testament to noble acts of fortitude by governors, adventurers and exiles. That stately instruments might still exist in such a hostile landscape is remarkable. That they are still capable of making music in far-flung villages is nothing less than a miracle.

But this is Siberia, where people can endure the worst of the world — and where music reveals a deep humanity in the last place on earth you would expect to find it.

©2019 Sophy Roberts (P)2019 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic Reviews

"A sparkling debut by an outstanding and gifted author. A brilliant guide to Russia of the past and the present, set around an extraordinary search for the heart, soul and lost keyboards of centuries gone by." (Peter Frankopan)

"An extraordinary, cadenced journey into music, exile and landscape." (Edmund De Waal)

"A masterpiece of modern travel literature with words that sing from its pages. A definitive exploration of Russia's wild east." (Levison Wood)

What listeners say about The Lost Pianos of Siberia

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great


l have listened to the book twice now. and I am going back for a third

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

History, first-hand stories, music and emotion

I loved this and highly recommend. Well-researched and backed with accounts from real people. These stories would die if not retold by people like Sophy Roberts.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Siberian Pianos were for people and music's magic.

I found it best to savour each piano as a self-contained history. Initally, one is tempted to just let the chapters roll out, but listening like that is like looking at a far distant Vista which on closer examination begins to reveal the intricacies and flavours of each instrument's history. Then you learn about the people who played or just listened.
A magical journey which will be like a delicious morsel or the taste of a good wine.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.