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The Piano

181 replies

lipstickwoman · 15/02/2023 21:48

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.

OP posts:
Bonjovispjs · 08/03/2023 22:56

lipstickwoman · 08/03/2023 22:20

I think Claudia has been the perfect host.. warm and able to put them at ease. Haven't taken to either Mika or Lang Lang. One is too 'ooo I'm on tv' and the other a bit bland and wooden.

That's hilarious, Mika has been doing TV work for years and years, including his own variety show in Italy where he lives and being a judge on both the Italian version of The X Factor and the French version of The Voice, not to mention hosting last years Eurovision song contest, so TV work is definitely nothing new for him. I'm a big fan of his, can you tell? 😆

HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick · 08/03/2023 23:04

I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard of Mika until this show but I think he's been really great. He's dealt with LL's woody manner well. LL has nothing much to say unless it's 'classical' repertoire and even then he just sings and waves his hands about.

Stopsnowing · 08/03/2023 23:06

The concert will be really short with just five acts! I really wished they had picked more people and I agree that despite being presented with a hugely diverse range of players they are choosing a single type. Mika is fun but he is too domineering over Lang. Claudia is fab.

londonmummy1966 · 09/03/2023 00:04

I agree with the lack of diversity - I think that they rejected the two older ladies who were amazing pianists with great stories to tell simply because they don't really resonate with older women - in particular the lovely lady with red hair who played her own composition at St Pancras. I was really disappointed with the choice last week and this (although tbh there wasn't such a strong field to choose from in Birmingham).

Have been amused throughout though by Mika's mansplaining to LL - he has told him several times that there was a key change in a piece - as if LL couldn't spot it................

Piggywaspushed · 09/03/2023 06:45

Stopsnowing · 08/03/2023 23:06

The concert will be really short with just five acts! I really wished they had picked more people and I agree that despite being presented with a hugely diverse range of players they are choosing a single type. Mika is fun but he is too domineering over Lang. Claudia is fab.

Four acts!

bigTillyMint · 09/03/2023 07:15

BishyBarnyBee · 08/03/2023 22:11

It's a bit odd that there is so little diversity in the performers- all white, all young, all with quite complex issues, 3 young men. I'm guessing Channel 4 did the original casting for diversity then gave Mika and Lang Lang free rein. I've absolutely loved the programme, loved the two of them as judges, loved the way they interact, but I do feel a bit disappointed with the final line up and wonder if it would have been different if there had been a black or female judge. It's almost as if it never crossed their mind that they might have any kind of bias.

Totally agree.
Also would have liked to see one of the older people in the line up, and agree with a PP that they could have chosen two from each programme.

I don’t think Mika is domineering - I love Lang Lang, but feel he needs guidance from someone with a wider understanding of how musicians engage their audience with their music, other than being exceptionally skilled pianists IYSWIM. I felt they worked really well together. And Claudia was great at getting the pianists to relax and perform well.

spiderlight · 09/03/2023 10:08

I agree that they should have chosen two from each show. It's a shame that they'll never be able to replicate this - people will have seen the format now and will know they're being watched/judged.

I do love Mika, but Lang Lang seemed to be a bit rabbit-in-headlights in the face of his enthusiasm. I guess we're only seeing snippets of their judging process though.

justagirlfromedgware · 10/03/2023 19:30

I agree with the earlier comments. Too many young men with sad backstories. I entirely failed to see the talent of the IoW one.

Riverlee · 11/03/2023 21:51

Just caught up with this programme. I like the second Russian sister who played the dramatic piece.

ShillyShallySherbet · 12/03/2023 08:03

I agree the three men are all very similar, I wish there was more variety. The woman with the red hair should have gone through the first week.

knittingaddict · 12/03/2023 08:10

ShillyShallySherbet · 12/03/2023 08:03

I agree the three men are all very similar, I wish there was more variety. The woman with the red hair should have gone through the first week.

I didn't watch the last episode, but my husband did. I said to him before the show that they won't pick another young man because they already had two of those. Well I was obviously wrong.

Such a shame that there couldn't have been more diversity in the final line up. Someone older would have been nice, but there were few older pianists who stood out. I loved red haired woman and such a shame that she wasn't picked. Was she the same week as Lucy? That would have been a tough call.

Riverlee · 12/03/2023 08:18

i agree that the finalists were to similar as well, except for Lucy. It’s hardly showcasing the piano.

Has anyone got irritated by the constant use of ‘piano’, and not ‘the piano’ in conversations? Ie. ‘I play piano,’ not ‘I play the piano’.

Piggywaspushed · 12/03/2023 08:42

knittingaddict · 12/03/2023 08:10

I didn't watch the last episode, but my husband did. I said to him before the show that they won't pick another young man because they already had two of those. Well I was obviously wrong.

Such a shame that there couldn't have been more diversity in the final line up. Someone older would have been nice, but there were few older pianists who stood out. I loved red haired woman and such a shame that she wasn't picked. Was she the same week as Lucy? That would have been a tough call.

Show quote history

I think she was the first week, so same week as IOW guy.

There was an older man who played Chopin beautifully in the same week as Lucy. The one with the piano in a van.

LadyEloise1 · 14/03/2023 09:31

Pureradio · 08/03/2023 21:30

How can she be 81?!

My thoughts exactly.
L'oreal should snap her up and use her in their ads for face creams.
Such a lovely lady.
I also think there should have been two from each show.
I don't think singer / pianists should have been considered. The voice distracted from the piano.
Claudia was lovely with the pianists and some of the shots of those listening were fab.

Riverlee · 14/03/2023 10:23

The red haired lady is called Emma Bennett.

Piggywaspushed · 15/03/2023 21:05

Anyone here tonight?

Piggywaspushed · 15/03/2023 21:31

Riverlee · 14/03/2023 10:23

The red haired lady is called Emma Bennett.

Just seen her on screen and she's Fiona?

PandoraRocks · 15/03/2023 21:32

Yes, watching it now but agree with everyone else that the finalists are all too similar. Really disappointing final after a great series.

Piggywaspushed · 15/03/2023 21:36

They're dragging this out a bit.

bendmeoverbackwards · 15/03/2023 21:40

The only one I care about is Lucy. She has a remarkable talent, the others are a bit meh.

SpacePotato · 15/03/2023 21:51

Sat here crying at Lucy and her wonderful teacher 😭😭

Really likes that she actually connected with Lang Lang. Made him seem a bit more human.

Piggywaspushed · 15/03/2023 21:55

His speech just made me well up . He reminds me of Susan Boyle.

HeadsShouldersKneesAndMyGreatAuntsWalkingStick · 15/03/2023 22:06

They were all fantastic. Styles all different in their own way.
I particularly loved Lucy and also , to my surprise, the last guy,

londonmummy1966 · 15/03/2023 22:07

Anyone else like me and cba to actually watch the concert as the 3 boys were not that inspiring/impressive first time round so why bother with a repeat?

Cooroo · 15/03/2023 22:07

I really love Sean's playing. I love him too a bit. Except I'm about 40 years too old for him.

Honestly I don't mind the 'similarity' between finalists. I think they really chose the ones who sparked something special.