The Piano

[determinedtomakethiswork]

Did anyone see it tonight? It never fails to make me cry. Absolutely love this programme.

I hadn’t intended to watch - I fear saccharine TV, and also know lots of professional musicians - but it drew me in.

I know it’s hype but I was vaguely interested in the judges’ comment that they’d found the best voices in Manchester.

The competitive element seems pointless, though. And needlessly cruel. Do they not just put the really talented pianists in touch with RNCM or wherever? (Even if they’re 80!)

Also fascinated to see that Claudia’s hair appeared to be growing out of her actual head - I’ve always assumed she keeps an entire trailer full of wigs.

But ‘Nirvana’ was the best comment tonight!

Sympathy won the day. The two guys who are professionals shouldn't have been influenced by fringe.

I thought there was too much talking over the piano playing but otherwise a lovely show

I'd never heard of this programme before last night, accidently ended up watching it and it was so lovely, and ended up in tears a couple times with the beautiful music and lovely contestants, defo be watching next week

I've got a friend in it! Not saying who. I've not managed to watch it yet so looking forward to it.

I love this show. The only things that slightly irks me is Mica’s slightly patronising attitude towards Lang Lang. Before this show I was well aware of Lang Lang but I hadn’t heard of Mica. I still don’t know anything Mica has done.

I've never heard of Mica either. Lang Lang is not my favourite pianist ( nothing against him, just others I liked more) but he helps make classical music popular.

I like Mika. He had a couple of big hits in the 2000s, but I'm more impressed that he's fluent in French, Italian and Spanish. He's been a judge on French and Italian music talent shows, and he co-hosted Eurovision when it was in Italy.

I know what you mean but it does come across as friendly banter. I loved that Lang Lang had never heard ‘winner takes it all’ and the Nirvana joke.
Mika is actually very talented but his uk popularity seemed to wane for no good reason. Have a listen to Grace Kelly.

I love Lang Langs complete lack of a poker face he is incapable of hiding his true thoughts. I did disagree with this weeks winner, I don’t deny he was lovely, but for me it should have been the Chopin Ballade boxer chap.

I wasn’t sure about the winner either possibly because they were clearly very wealthy and so many of the young players would benefit from it. But it was a nice story about music for life

A friend of mine was playing at the 4th episode apparently. Don't know how she got on or if she'll be aired but excited to watch it!

Here's Mika in his heyday...

Love it, mainly becoming I'm a huge Mika fan. Saw them recording it at Victoria Station in February and got to meet him 😊 and saw him at his recent tour, he's amazing and he and Lang Lang are very good friends.

I liked this interview with Claudia
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/apr/19/claudia-winkleman-on-swearing-success-and-secrets-i-had-to-sign-a-contract-promising-not-to-sing
and the bit about checking out the Greggs before she goes to a new station.

I always thought it was the film being repeated when I saw it on the tv guide, so i've not watched it yet - will definitely watch it now

Brilliant film but not one I can watch too often,

Sitting at a sunny outdoor table at a restaurant.

Mika (from years back) is blasting across the square.

Ha ha, brilliant 👏 That can't be in the UK? Nowhere plays him here anymore 😢

Altrincham!

I'm impressed 😁 Hopefully this is all part of his comeback and we'll get to see/hear him a lot more.

Just saw ‘Nirvana’ again - still makes me laugh!

(Previous episode being repeated on Channel 4 at the moment.)

Yeah, I watched it again too, even though I've recorded it to keep. Love the Nirvana moment, he's a very funny guy 😁

Why do we have to have the sob stories? I just want to hear beautiful piano played.

I did like the Design for Life version though, sob story notwithstanding.

I also love Crazy as a tune. But not like this.

Just watched the little boy whose name I'm afraid I didn't catch. Wow.

I was just scrolling through MN with half an ear on the TV, and his playing completely caught my attention so I stopped everything else and couldn't do anything other than watch and listen to him. Really special.