Pianist Paul Barton has quite the life story.
After a prominent career as a portrait artist, when his sitters included prominent British politicians, Paul transitioned to piano playing. His talent quickly brought him into the spotlight, but he soon realised the concert stage wasn’t for him.
A move to Thailand to teach piano proved life-changing. Since 2008, Paul has shared free tutorials and expressive classical performances on YouTube, earning a devoted global following and reshaping how many pianists learn and connect with classical music.
He's also, splendidly, posted many videos of himself playing the piano to some of Thailand's native elephants. These creatures have often led hard lives, and to see the soothing effect of Paul's performance of gentle piano pieces by the likes of Chopin, Debussy and others is a rare treat.
Here is Paul playing music by Bach and Schubert to Lam Duan (her name means 'Tree with Yellow Flowers', an old elephant who has been blind most of her life. Watch Lam Duan's beautiful response to Paul's piano playing below:
Man and beast in perfect harmony
Of course, it's hard to read into the mind of any animal, especially an animal so calm, dignified and apparently inscrutable as Lam Duan. But we sense something in her gentle swaying back and forth that suggests that this music has a deeply calming effect on her. We like the way the two of them wander off together afterwards, perfectly in step. As they should be, having shared something so special together.
Craving more elephants and music? Meet Mongkol, a 61-year-old male elephant from Elephants World, who loves nothing more than to sway gently to Beethoven’s 'Moonlight' Sonata. Once a logging elephant, Mongkol endured decades of gruelling labour in the Thai forests, which left his body deformed and cost him his right eye and a tusk.
Thankfully, he was rescued and brought to Elephants World, where he now enjoys a peaceful, dignified retirement by the River Kwai. 'I discovered Mongkol is an extremely gentle, sensitive elephant who enjoys music, especially this slow movement by Beethoven which I play to him occasionally in the day and night,' says Paul.
Pics and video: PaulBartonPiano via YouTube
