This story began with a simple question from Andrew and posted on The Red Hand Files and how it played out has become legendary in two diverse worlds of fans.

First, we must step into the shadows to the brooding, complex, and emotional world of Australian singer/songwriter Nick Cave.

Second, the universe of elite pianists and the exquisite instruments they regard as extensions of their souls.

nick cave, idiot prayer, fazioli, manuel bernaschek, helen siwak, showcse pianos, cult following, paolo fazioli, vancouver, bc, vancity, yvr

Question from Andrew

The piano you played for Idiot Prayer was magnificent. Was it a personal instrument, or is this just the kind of thing people put in front of one when they go places?

ANDREW, BELLINGHAM, USA

Response  from Nick Cave

Dear Andrew,

The piano I played at Alexandra Palace was a Fazioli. There were limited pianos I could access during lockdown. There was, however, a Fazioli. I had never played one before but Dom Monks, the guy who recorded the Alexandra Palace performance, highly recommended this piano. The moment I sat down at the Fazioli, its warm, soft, nuanced sound spoke to me like no piano had spoken to me before. I was swept away by its extraordinary tonal range. It whispered to me. It roared at me. It was the most beautiful instrument I had ever played.

nick cave, idiot prayer, fazioli, manuel bernaschek, helen siwak, showcse pianos, cult following, paolo fazioli, vancouver, bc, vancity, yvr

On a Zoom call to my manager I mentioned how much I loved the Fazioli. I reminded him that I still have the same nasty little Chinese upright I have had for over thirty years. I explained that I was sixty-three years old and suggested that perhaps it was time I got a nice piano. I said to my manager – I just love that Fazioli.

Now, one of the things you may or may not know about being a famous musician is that companies give you shit for free. The more famous you are, the more shit you get – you just have to wear one of their t-shirts or a branded cap or something. Being the principled individual that I am, of course, I have never sponsored a musical instrument (in that respect, I am virtually alone in my field) but I just loved that Fazioli.

So I said to my manager – Time to sell my soul. Time to make a call and get me a Fazioli.

My manager said – Consider it done!

So, the next day my manager rings up Fazioli, who have their headquarters in Sacile, in the Province of Pordenone, near Venice and an Italian woman answers the phone.

My manager says – I represent the great artist Nick Cave and I am wondering if I could get a free Fazioli (or something like that).

The Italian woman says – L’acttore – My manager says – What? She says – The actor? My manager says – No, Cave. Cave. And she says – Nick what? My manager says – Nick Cave. She says – Nick Cave? Who issa Nick Cave?

My manager says – Well, he is arguably the greatest songwriter of his time. He is one of the cornerstones of modern music. He is a national treasure. He is adored by millions. Italians love him.

She says – Who are you? What you want? My manager says – Um, a free piano. And she hangs up.

A couple of days later I’m on another Zoom call with my manager, and he is looking a bit cagey and I say – How did it go with Fazioli? Did you get me a free Fazioli?

And my manager says – Well, it seems like they have a rather inflexible policy around giving away £200,000 pianos to people they’ve never heard of.

And I say – Dude, are you my fucking manager or what? I just love that Fazioli!

So the next day my manager rings back Fazioli and the same woman answers the phone and my manager says – Look it’s Nick Cave’s manager again, can I speak to Mr Fazioli?

And the woman says – No.

And my manager says – Listen, my fucking job’s on the line here.

And she hangs up.

* * *

So, Andrew, I agree – the Fazioli is a glorious piano. Magnificent, as you say. As Herbie Hancock said about his Fazioli – that – one note announces the celebration of the freedom and creativity of the human spirit. This is true. The Fazioli is warm and delicate and remarkably subtle, but has a deep, strong heart. It is full of angel tears and il sangue dei santi and encompasses the universe. It is a dream piano. And yet I wait for the day a giant removal van will pull up outside my house, my manager hanging out the passenger window, wearing a t-shirt with a piano on it, and a big smile on his face, screaming ‘Fazioli!’

Until then my little Chinese upright grins at me from the corner of my room. I walk over and sit down and I begin to play.

Love, Nick

nick cave, idiot prayer, fazioli, manuel bernaschek, helen siwak, showcse pianos, cult following, paolo fazioli, vancouver, bc, vancity, yvr

Bernaschek Comments on Nick Cave vs. Fazioli

We were curious about what happened with Nick Cave. Do Fazioli Pianoforti pianos have the ability to convert pianists on the spot? Vancouver’s Manuel Bernaschek, the world’s top Fazioli dealer, says that this is absolutely true and shared this story.

“The world’s top interpreter of Bach music – Angela Hewitt – was rehearsing at a store in London at the same time as a 6-foot Fazioli was being delivered to the store. Curious, she sat down at the piano and fell in love with it – and while the movers were still there, she asked them to pick up the piano and deliver it directly to her home. Angela now has three Fazioli, one each in her homes in London, Italy, and Canada.”

This story resonates with so many because it reads like an Urban Legend, but we know it is real as Nick Cave wrote and shared it with his fans.

Manuel found the situation incredibly humorous and says, “I think most people think asking Fazioli Pianoforti for a free piano is like asking Yamaha for a free piano – so when his fans heard that Fazioli was not going to give him a free piano, they thought it was just a matter of convincing them. What fans do not realize is that Yamaha has $2B in sales every year and manufactures approximately 100 pianos a day. In contrast, Fazioli has $20M in sales and only produces 100 pianos a year. Giving away a free piano to someone is just not a possibility for them – it is not a matter of convincing them that the subject is worthy.”

Hats off to the fans of Nick Cave for their belief and diligence in trying to secure a Fazioli for free for him. Although not successful, there is a Fazioli in the Cave home, as evidenced by a single Instastory posted on his partner Susie’s Instagram four months ago and shared on reddit subthread.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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