Bataclan pianist returned to France

THE video has been watched more than three million times.

Davide Martello rides his adapted piano up to the Bataclan concert hall, the deadliest scene of last week's attacks, sits down and plays John Lennon's Imagine to the crowd.

In fact, Mr Martello made the 700km trip from Germany twice in the two days following the attack, having already carried the same feat outside the offices of Charlie Hebdo following the attacks there in January.

The 34-year-old told Connexion he had been watching the France vs Germany match in a pub in Konstanz when he learned of the shootings.

“I just put my piano on my trailer, got in my car and drove all the way to Paris. It was an impulse, I just felt like I needed to go,” Mr Martello said.

Once he had arrived in Paris ten hours later, he took his piano to the closest possible spot to the Bataclan.

“At first, the crowd were very shocked to hear music, as it was such a stark contrast. But after I had finished, people were very appreciative, coming up to me and saying thank you.

“I got very emotional during the song. It’s very intense, and I always play it in places of conflict because I think it has all the lyrics that people need.”

After he had finished playing, he put his piano on the trailer and drove back to Germany. However, he returned to Paris the following day.

“I felt like I needed to go back and play at the other attack sites and offer support,” he added.

Mr Martello is known for playing in areas of conflict, having also played at the sites of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January this year, as well as in Afghanistan and the Taksim demonstrations in Istanbul.

He has also been recognised by the European parliament for an ‘outstanding contribution to European cooperation and the promotion of common values.’

“I believe that music can heal and encourage people to think about positive things, even if only for a while,” he added.