The Piano
GenreMusic competition
Created byRichard McKerrow
Presented byClaudia Winkleman
JudgesLang Lang
Mika
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes5
Production
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companyLove Productions
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release15 February 2023 (2023-02-15) –
present
Related
The Great British Sewing Bee
The Great Pottery Throw Down

The Piano is a televised British music competition show that aired on Channel 4 since 15 February 2023 and is hosted by Claudia Winkleman with Lang Lang and Mika as judges.

On 14 July 2023, it was announced that the show was recommissioned for a second and third series alongside a Christmas special and a documentary on the first series winner Lucy Illingworth.[1]

Format

Amateur musicians are invited to publicly perform on street pianos in the concourses of major UK railway stations. Performances cover a variety of genres, with some performers accompanying themselves with vocals. Performed pieces include classical standards, contemporary chart hits, and original compositions.[2]

The competitive element is kept secret from the performers — the judges observe the performances from a nearby room, selecting one performer from each location to perform at an end-of-series concert at the Royal Festival Hall.[3]

Series overview

Series Episodes Premiere Finale Winner Average UK viewers
(millions)
1 5 15 February 2023 15 March 2023 Lucy Illingworth[4][5][6] 2.7[1]
2 7[1] TBA TBA TBA TBA
3 7[1] TBA TBA TBA TBA

Series 1 (2023)

Main article: The Piano (series 1)

The first series aired from 15 February to 15 March 2023 and ran for five episodes. The heats were held at St Pancras railway station, Leeds railway station, Glasgow Central railway station and Birmingham New Street railway station with the final being held at the Royal Festival Hall. The series winner was Lucy Illingworth, a young blind girl who is also autistic. Illingworth went on to perform at the Coronation Concert and a commemoration of Fanny Waterman.[4][5][6]

Reception

The Guardian awarded the first episode four stars out of five and asking if it could be considered "Bake Off for pianos".[2][7][3] The Mirror considered the show to be "brilliantly simple" and life-affirming.[8] In contrast, the I considered the show to be "aimless fluff".[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Claudia, Mika and Lang Lang return to Channel 4 as The Piano is recommissioned for two further series, also commissioned a Christmas Special and documentary on the incredible Lucy". Channel 4. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hogan, Michael (3 February 2023). "'Bake Off for pianos': the spine-tingling talent show that makes people weep with joy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b Seale, Jack (15 February 2023). "The Piano review – Claudia Winkleman's new talent show is an utter delight". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b "'The Piano' winner Lucy set to perform at Coronation Concert", Pianist Magazine, 5 May 2023
  5. ^ a b Blue plaque unveiling for legendary Leeds pianist, teacher and competition founder Dame Fanny Waterman, 29 March 2023
  6. ^ a b "Watch as inspiring blind girl, 13, who starred on Channel 4 show gives performs at plaque unveiling in Leeds". Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  7. ^ Snape, Joel (23 February 2023). "Tinkling the ivories and tugging the heart strings: is The Piano the most uplifting TV talent show ever?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  8. ^ Hyland, Ian (23 February 2023). "Simon Cowell will be grinding gears over Mika's life affirming show The Piano". mirror. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  9. ^ Bootle, Emily (15 February 2023). "Channel 4's The Piano is more aimless fluff to add to the Great British Hobby-Off". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 28 February 2023.

External links

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