In the 1970s, as a 12-year-old in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, a love affair with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata sparked in the heart of our storyteller. The absence of a piano at home led to a serendipitous encounter with the instrument at his grandmother’s care home, where he learned to play Beethoven by ear. The journey unfolded in a village church, surrounded by pig farms and the melody of pigeons cooing, crafting a magical backdrop for the budding pianist.
Leaving school at 16, our protagonist secured a spot at the Royal Academy of Arts, seamlessly intertwining a career as a concert pianist with that of a professional portrait painter. Fast forward to his 30s, and a visit to Thailand led to a life-altering connection with his wife, an artist focused on sculpting elephants at Elephants World sanctuary near Kanchanaburi.
Intrigued by the emotional depth exhibited by one particular elephant at the sanctuary, the pianist pondered the impact of music on these majestic creatures. The seed of an idea sprouted, culminating in an extraordinary gift for his 50th birthday – the introduction of a piano to the sanctuary.
Navigating logistical challenges, including the transportation of a piano to the riverbank sanctuary, the pianist began to play amidst the elephants and nature’s symphony. The profound reaction of a blind elephant, ceasing its meal to absorb the music, marked a pivotal moment. The sanctuary became a haven for harmonious encounters, transcending language barriers.
Capturing these enchanting performances on film, the pianist’s YouTube channel now boasts nearly 700,000 subscribers, a testament to the universal appeal of this unique musical connection. Despite the inherent risks of being in close proximity to these massive creatures, including potentially dangerous male elephants, the pianist remains undeterred.
The elephants’ response to music becomes a language of its own, revealing their relaxation and happiness through slowed breathing. Each elephant exhibits distinct preferences, with some dancing to Beethoven and others opting for a quieter departure during Schubert’s melodies.
Acknowledging that trust-building is integral, the pianist goes beyond music, engaging in caretaking activities for mistreated elephants. While experimentation with pre-recorded music and electric pianos yielded minimal reactions, the vibrational resonance of an acoustic piano emerged as the preferred mode of communication.
Reflecting on 13 years of playing for the elephants approximately 150 times, the Yorkshire-born pianist, once unlikely to predict falling in love with elephants, now regards them as family. In the heart of the jungle, a pianist and rescued elephants create a symphony of connection, bridging the gap between human and animal through the universal language of music.
