Khrushchev’s Piano
‘A beautiful novel, musical in form and content, about political and generational divides and the sounds — Romantic, Modern, universal — traversing them.’
– Simon Morrison, Professor of Music at Princeton University and author of The People’s Artist: Prokofiev’s Soviet Years.
‘In turns poignant, witty, insightful and thoroughly moving, this book is a must-read for pianists and music lovers.’
– Leon McCawley, Internationally Acclaimed Concert Pianist
1960. British pianist Evie Mason became an international sensation when she won a piano competition in Cold War Moscow and was awarded a valuable Steinway by the Soviet Premier. Soon afterwards, her stellar career was tragically cut short when an accident left her unable to play.
Decades later, Evie is frail and living in a failing care home, still struggling to come to terms with her past. When her son dies suddenly, her granddaughter Anna is forced to step in and care for her fragile family.
A former child-prodigy pianist herself, Anna abandoned her musical ambitions for a safe, predictable career in law. But now, as she grapples with grief and responsibility, she finds herself being drawn back into the world she once loved.
As time runs out, Evie is determined that Anna will not make the same mistakes.
Khrushchev’s Piano is inspired by the real-life inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition of 1958, reimagining the moment when music and politics collided on the global stage.Khrushchev’s Piano has been longlisted for the Watson, Little prize and shortlisted for the Jericho FOW Pitch Perfect competition.
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