The Piano

[lipstickwoman]

Oh I love it already. That elderly gentleman was amazing.. as are many of them.

And I do love Claudia. She's so warm and funny.

[toomuchlaundry]

Think I wasted lockdown, but don’t think I could ever learn how to be able to play that well

[TurquoiseDress]

I caught some of this last week and been watching properly tonight

Wow it's just so lovely, the stories behind the performers...I was in tears even before Lucy started playing, watching her mum describe what they had been through with cancer, her other developmental challenges etc

I loved Daniel too ooh it made me slightly tearful too!

[HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick]

So a whole lot of people who played there that we didn't get to hear!

[covetingthepreciousthings]

So pleased for Lucy.

[HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick]

Yay Lucy!

[LindorDoubleChoc]

I was really disappointed in this and had been looking forward to it so much. I doubt I'll watch another episode. But I see I'm in a truly tiny minority!

[MrsElm]

@LindorDoubleChoc

I was really disappointed in this and had been looking forward to it so much. I doubt I'll watch another episode. But I see I'm in a truly tiny minority!

Were you not moved at all by Lucy?

[Piggywaspushed]

@LindorDoubleChoc

I was really disappointed in this and had been looking forward to it so much. I doubt I'll watch another episode. But I see I'm in a truly tiny minority!

Why?

[LindorDoubleChoc]

I only watched episode 1 and even that not til the end. I just think it contained every talent show cliche in the book, particularly all the contestants having to have a sad story angle. I noticed when they all met up and the big shock reveal was given to the contestants that there was at least one standing there who hadn't been shown on the show. I love the piano and pianists generally, and Claudia - but it wasn't for me.

[HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick]

Sob stories and cliches- though that's tv these days innit.

I've noticed that Lang Lang, although polite, isn't very good at faking enjoyment.

Apart from that, having gone in quite sceptical to this programme I'm enjoying hearing all the different playing styles and good vibes all round.

[Piggywaspushed]

They can't show everyone..

[HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick]

I laugh when CW introduces us to Mika as the "world's greatest performer" with Lang Lang sitting right next to him

[MrsTaytodarling]

Wonder where Claudia's jumper is from

[LindorDoubleChoc]

@Piggywaspushed

They can't show everyone..

Can't they? Why not?

[Piggywaspushed]

Because the programme is an hour long - with ad breaks more like 45 minutes. It's editing. Obviously, if they were celebrities they'd have to because they'd have a fee and contracts. We have to presume some of them weren't very good. Even on Young Musician of the Year, for example, we don't see all the contestants.

It is a light entertainment programme and, yes, they are all selective and give us back stories. Do you really not want to know anything about the contestants? They weren't all 'sob stories'. You didn't watch episode 2 but the story of the blind girl is uplifting and the elderly man in episodes 1 and 2 . They might be designed to make our responses emotional but many many people like to respond to people they don't know on a human, emotional level. On this programme, I thought a lot of it was about the healing, redemptive powers of music, which I found rather lovely. And the power of Chopin, for example to make people stop and listen during their busy lives and appreciate some beauty.

[Calling]

I missed last night's episode unfortunately. How can I watch it?

I very much enjoyed finding out more about Lang Lang.

[Bonjovispyjamas]

@HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick

I laugh when CW introduces us to Mika as the "world's greatest performer" with Lang Lang sitting right next to him

She did always introduce Lang Lang as the world's greatest pianist too.

[spiderlight]

@Calling - it's on All4.
www.channel4.com/programmes/the-piano

[Piggywaspushed]

I am pretty sure she says Mika is one of the world's greatest performers.

[stopringingme]

@LindorDoubleChoc

I think some of the people standing in the room at the end were parents or carers of the children who played.

[LindorDoubleChoc]

@stopringingme

@LindorDoubleChoc

I think some of the people standing in the room at the end were parents or carers of the children who played.

Ah - good point.

To the previous poster who says "they can't include everyone". They are TV producers. They know how much airtime they have. They aren't doing their job properly if they film people competing and then can't fit them in because "whoops we forgot about the ad breaks". That's not how it works.

[LindorDoubleChoc]

Goodness, I just read your post in full @Piggywaspushed. Am I not allowed to say I didn't like it and the reasons why? That's incredible.

Shall leave you all to it and I hope you continue to enjoy.

[BarrelOfOtters]

I absolutely loved it, so British, understated, love the presenters and was crying watching it last night. Just a lovely programme.

[covetingthepreciousthings]

@MrsTaytodarling

Wonder where Claudia's jumper is from

I've seen a comment on Instagram saying they think it's from 'The Elder Statesman'

[knittingaddict]

We watched the second half of last night's episode and loved it too. As someone said, very uplifting.