Do you have to be an experienced music lover or a specialist in struck string instruments to tell such a story?
The question arises… But the link created between this piano tuner and his 1873 Bechstein is so strong that it looks like a romantic story, one of the most classic.
To that of a separation too, of a piano destined to end its life in a museum of musical instruments in Germany, and which, by chance of fate, now sits enthroned in Draguignan, in the grand salon of the bastide du domain of the Dragon.
A big surprise
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photo">Antoine Deckeur, Raminta Neverdauskaité and Mir Nézam around the piano.Photo by Camille Dodet.
“I bought this piano in March 2020, north of Saarbrücken in Germany, it was the day before the first confinement, the person who separated from it was in a hurry due to the closing of the borders which was announced”, remembers Antoine Deckeur, piano tuner, who has just delivered it to its new owner.
Except that a week later, he opens the envelope containing the history of this rosewood instrument, and reads a list containing the names of the people who played on it. At the top, the name of the great composer challenges him: “I very quickly called a friend who works at Bechstein in Germany to whom I transmitted the serial number, 69 88. After checking, he told me: “Where did you find your piano? This piano was commissioned with particular specifications by one or more pianists. The first was Johannes Brahms!”
The great romantic composer of the 19th centurye century known for its symphonies, its concertos or its 21 Hungarian dances, is therefore at the origin of the construction of the string instrument in 1873.
It is equipped with a single exhaust mechanism (1), much earlier than those used on other pianos. “On this mechanism, you have to go up almost the entire key to be able to play again”, explains the professional.
The one who is also a musician, opera singer, “but not a pianist”, he wishes to clarify, says: “Passionate about old pianos, I had several from the same era that I sold, but this one, I intended to keep it, it was certified, I did not need to restore it”.
The man, “also a wine and cigar lover”, according to the amused words of Mir Nézam, the owner of the place, enjoys a meal on the terrace in the company of his hosts and his friend Michaël Thizy, piano teacher in Draguignan.
Unique in France
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Works by the famous composer may have appeared on this 1873 Bechstein. Photo by Camille Dodet.
“This piano is unique in France! There are others in Germany, but unfortunately, we live in a time when, instead of restoring, we throw away!” “And then there was the Second World War, the manufacturer Carl Bechstein being Jewish, it was very complicated financially for the brand.
It is therefore difficult to know how this piano has traveled almost a century and a half. What is certain is that it will have received the best attention from its owner for two years: “I took advantage of it during the whole confinement in my apartment in Villeurbanne, but I left it raw, I love these complicated pianos to play!”, says Antoine, smiling, but nevertheless already nostalgic.
“I’m moving to Brittany soon, a radical change of life and a personal choice force me to part with it, with great regret! On the other hand, I would have had a lot of trouble getting rid of it if it hadn’t hadn’t been picked up by anyone I know,” he confides.
Buyers ready to triple the price
It has also been contacted by several museums, by those responsible for the Bechstein brand themselves, and by German individuals, ready to triple the price to obtain it. “The value of this piano is priceless. My attachment is such that for nothing in the world, I would not have left it to anyone”.
Nor did the tuner want to see him go to Germany where “it would have ended up in a museum and never been played again!”
According to Antoine Deckeur, many old pianos are abandoned today in France:
“You have no idea how many specialty stores have told me: “An old thing like that? It’s M…, you have to throw it away!””
History now proves them wrong.
The departure time is approaching for the Lyonnais. He sits at the piano, observes the trees through the open window, plays a few notes, his eyes filled with tears.
One thing is certain, he will come back…
(1) All pianos equipped with a simple escapement cannot replay a note without the mechanics having completely returned to the rest position, which limits the possibilities of repetition.
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“I never expected to welcome such an exceptional piano one day!”
Owner of the Domaine du Dragon since 2015, Mir Nezam continues to transform the place through the promotion of his wines, which have won several awards.
But also, and this is new, by developing a cultural dynamic there. With his partner Raminta Neverdauskaité, piano teacher at the Dracénie Provence Verdon agglomeration (DPVa) conservatory, the former CEO of Allergan France laboratories wishes to bring a touch of uniqueness to the estate, by organizing exceptional classical music events with artists”just as exceptional, whether professional or learning.
“There will be a piano forest”
It is for this reason but also because of the bonds of friendship established with Antoine Deckeur, during a discussion “one evening, around several glasses” [rires]that he has just acquired the famous Bechstein from Johannes Brahms: “When I met my partner Raminta a year ago, I promised her: “At the estate, there will be a forest of pianos”, today, with the latter, we have three, but I never expected to welcome such an exceptional piano one day!” confides the winegrower from Dracé who likes to recall the famous saying written on his bottles of wine ” What is rare is precious!”
A unique instrument for students
As for the organization of the concerts, Raminta is now the conductor:
“Brahms’ piano at the estate is also an opportunity for my conservatory students to play on an exceptional instrument, especially for preludes to upcoming events. This will be the case on July 2 during our “Nuit musicale dans the vines”. We will welcome the Elmire String Quartet.”
As for the “artist” Antoine Deckeur, he will always be welcome.
“He is at home here, and he can come as much as he wants to play… Or sing” conclut Mir Nezam.
Know+ Musical night in the vineyards Domaine du Dragon in Draguignan Elmir String Quartet Concert Saturday July 2 at 8 p.m. Information on: 04 98 10 23 00 Page Facebook Dragon’s Domain
