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Khrushchev's Piano

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Pub Date 28 Nov 2026 | Archive Date 30 Dec 2026


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Description

1960. British pianist Evie Mason became an international sensation when she won a piano competition in Cold War Moscow and was awarded a valuable Steinway by the Soviet Premier. Soon afterwards, her stellar career was tragically cut short when an accident left her unable to play.

Decades later, Evie is frail and living in a failing care home, still struggling to come to terms with her past. When her son dies suddenly, her granddaughter Anna is forced to step in and care for her fragile family.

A former child-prodigy pianist herself, Anna abandoned her musical ambitions for a safe, predictable career in law. But now, as she grapples with grief and responsibility, she finds herself being drawn back into the world she once loved.

As time runs out, Evie is determined that Anna will not make the same mistakes.

Khrushchev’s Piano is inspired by the real-life inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition of 1958, reimagining the moment when music and politics collided on the global stage.

1960. British pianist Evie Mason became an international sensation when she won a piano competition in Cold War Moscow and was awarded a valuable Steinway by the Soviet Premier. Soon afterwards, her...


A Note From the Publisher

Caroline Swinburne originally studied music and joined the BBC, intending to work for Radio 3, but became sidetracked by speech radio. For over two decades, she worked as a reporter and producer, making features about the developing world. Following the birth of her two sons, she retrained as a music therapist and, originally a French horn player, became obsessed with the piano. She now runs a successful teaching practice in South East London, alongside writing music-themed fiction.

Caroline Swinburne originally studied music and joined the BBC, intending to work for Radio 3, but became sidetracked by speech radio. For over two decades, she worked as a reporter and producer...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781835746738
PRICE £3.99 (GBP)
PAGES 384

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