The Pianist from Syria, Aeham Ahmad
The Pianist from Syria, Aeham Ahmad
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The Pianist from Syria
A Memoir

Author: Aeham Ahmad, Emanuel Bergmann

Narrator: Nezar Alderazi

Unabridged: 10 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/12/2019


Synopsis

This astonishing true story presents an “affecting viewpoint on life in Syria before and in the midst of extreme violence” (Booklist), offering a deeply personal and unique perspective on one of the most devastating refugee crises of this century.

Aeham Ahmad was born a second-generation refugee—the son of a blind violinist and carpenter who recognized Aeham’s talent and taught him how to play piano and love music from an early age. When his grandparents and father were forced to flee Israel and seek refuge from the conflict ravaging their home, Aeham’s family built a life in Yarmouk, an unofficial camp to more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees in Damascus.

As a devoted family, they waited for the conflict to be resolved so they could return to their homeland. Their only haven was in music and in each other, especially when another deadly fight overtook their asylum. Forced to leave his family behind, Aeham sought out a safe place for them to call home and build a better life, taking solace in his indestructible familial bond to keep moving forward.

Heart-wrenching yet ultimately optimistic and told in a raw and poignant voice, The Pianist from Syria is a “deeply moving account of one man’s struggle to survive while bringing hope to thousands through his music” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

About Aeham Ahmad

Aeham Ahmad was born in Yarmouk, a suburb of Damascus. His father encouraged his musical talent, and at age seven, he began piano lessons at the Arab Institute in Damascus. He later studied music education in Homs and worked as a music teacher. In 2015, he fled to Germany because of the war in Syria. Today. he lives with his family in Wiesbaden and gives concerts all over Europe. In December 2015, Ahmad was awarded the International Beethoven Prize for Human Rights. The Pianist from Syria is his first book.

About Emanuel Bergmann

Emanuel Bergmann was born in Germany and is a journalist and translator. He has been living in Los Angeles since 1990. His first novel, The Trick, was an international bestseller.


Reviews

Goodreads review by 8stitches 9lives on March 25, 2019

If there's ever been a book that illustrates the immense power of music then this is it. What drew me to it, in particular, was the fact that I can personally attest to the strength and courage it can bring to your life, and I feel as though I may not have got this far through the chronic pain condi......more

Goodreads review by MaryBeth's on February 26, 2019

"I'm a pianist, not a political activist. My revolution is music. My language is music. Music was going to be my form of protest, even if no one heard me." What a stunning memoir. Aeham Ahmad, a second generation refugee whose parents fled from the Israeli-Pakistan conflict, finds himself in the Syri......more

Goodreads review by Kate on March 03, 2019

This autobiography of a brave and courageous young man - a striving musician - a man of tremendous compassion and conviction, is food for the soul. For years, our news sources have affronted us with visions of war-torn Syria to which, for the most part, we've become inured. This amazing and heart-wr......more

Goodreads review by Mireille on January 11, 2018

Een foto vertelt het begin en eind niet “Dit is mijn verhaal. Het verhaal achter die foto die de wereld over ging. De foto waarop ik midden in de puinhopen achter de piano zit te zingen in een felgroen shirt. En iedereen die hem in de toekomst zal zien, zal weten: een foto vertelt nooit hoe iets is b......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on August 10, 2020

This is one of the most poignant, painful and necessary reads for everyone who lives in the First World. Aeham Ahmad starts the book describing his life as a Palestinian refugee in Yarmouk, a suburb of Damascas. Life isn't easy with a scary government, and corruption in every facet of life. Even gett......more