Sonia Devillers releases book on Nazi looting of Jewish pianos

Journalist and radio host Sonia Devillers has released her second book, ‘Le fabuleux piano’ (The Fabulous Piano), which explores the systematic looting of musical instruments by the Nazis during the occupation of Europe.

The narrative centers on the search for a rare 1892 Erard piano, a masterpiece of French craftsmanship, which was stolen from a Jewish family. Devillers traces the history of the instrument and the ‘music commando’ led by Nazi official Alfred Rosenberg, who organized the seizure of Jewish property.

The book intertwines this historical investigation with Devillers’ own family history, examining the experiences of her grandparents and the broader impact of the Shoah on cultural heritage and personal identity.