Exploding pianos

[ardcarp]

Dan Snow's Radio 4 programme Voices of the First World War included an account of the liberation of French villages in 1918. Apparently the Germans had left booby traps in many of the deserted houses, and a favourite hiding place was in pianos. One poor Tommy, hoping to play a quick tune, was blown to bits when he opened the lid.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001357

...towards the end.

[Quarky]

On/ Off topic, an item in last week's Hear and Now featured a grand piano being dropped 8 meters onto a concrete floor. Bit of an anti-climax, as it didn't make a great deal of clatter!

[cloughie]

On/ Off topic, an item in last week's Hear and Now featured a grand piano being dropped 8 meters onto a concrete floor. Bit of an anti-climax, as it didn't make a great deal of clatter!

I do hope it was in bad shape to start as I would hate to think of a beautiful instrument dying this way.

[johncorrigan]

I do hope it was in bad shape to start as I would hate to think of a beautiful instrument dying this way.

Well this one was in a bad way, cloughie. One of the best scenes from one of the greatest TV series - here's Chris in the Morning's piano fling from 'Northern Exposure'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6zmMWfzv38

[Dave2002]

You can also follow this up - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3044844.stm

[Serial_Apologist]

A few years ago, there was a series of programmes on TV tracing the evolution of the British domestic interior. In the programme covering the 1960s, notice was taken of the disappearance of the domestic upright piano. The family brought in to "live the eras" was now expected to shunt their particular model out into the back yard, whereupon the "father of the household" took an axe to the instrument! I just stared at the wanton vandalism proceeding, and shouted No, No ! No!! NO!!! NOOOOO!!!! at the TV secreen.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A few years ago, there was a series of programmes on TV tracing the evolution of the British domestic interior. ...

I was reminded of that scene when I saw the Thread title - it was a gratuitous (and, as you rightly say, "wanton") act of vandalism, and I watched the programme and the series no further.

[Quarky]

.....Right, said Fred.....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

.....Right, said Fred.....

Coooeee, Mr Shifter!

[Dave2002]

Student mischief - https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/20...C8K/story.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6qfriiBM1k - though doesn't look like a grand this time.