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.
| The Piano | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Music competition |
| Created by | Richard McKerrow |
| Presented by | Claudia Winkleman |
| Judges | Lang Lang Mika |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Production company | Love Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 15 February 2023 – present |
| Related | |
| The Great British Sewing Bee The Great Pottery Throw Down | |
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
editAmateur musicians are invited to publicly perform on street pianos in the concourses of major UK railway stations. Performed pieces include classical standards, contemporary chart hits, and original compositions, with some performers accompanying themselves with vocals.[2]
For the first series the competitive element was 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
edit| Series | Episodes | Premiere | Finale | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 15 February 2023 | 15 March 2023 | Lucy Illingworth[4][5][6] |
| 2 | 7[1] | 28 April 2024 | 9 June 2024 | Brad Kellaher |
| 3 | 7[1] | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Series 1 (2023)
editThe first series aired from 15 February to 15 March 2023 and ran for five episodes. The heats were held at London St Pancras, Leeds, Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street with the final being held at the Royal Festival Hall. The series winner was Lucy Illingworth, a young blind girl who is also autistic and non-verbal. Illingworth went on to perform at the Coronation Concert and a commemoration of Fanny Waterman.[4][5][6]
Series 2 (2024)
editThe second series aired from 28 April to 9 June 2024.[7] The heats took place at Manchester Piccadilly, Cardiff Central, Edinburgh Waverley, London Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street. The series was won by Brad Kellaher.
Reception
editThe Guardian awarded the first episode four stars out of five and asking if it could be considered "Bake Off for pianos".[2][8][3] The Mirror considered the show to be "brilliantly simple" and life-affirming.[9] In contrast, the i considered the show to be "aimless fluff".[10]
International versions
editFremantle holds international format rights.[11] They have sold it to broadcasters in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.[12]
| Region/country | Local title | Network | Winners | Judges | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Denmark
|
TBA | TV2 | Series 1: TBA | TBA | TBA |
 Germany
|
The Piano | VOX | Series 1: TBA | Mark Forster Igor Levit |
Annika Lau |
 Netherlands
|
De Piano | RTL 4 | Series 1: TBA | Roel van Velzen | Chantal Janzen |
 Spain
|
El Piano | LaSexta | Series 1: TBA | Pablo López Mika |
Ruth Lorenzo |
References
edit- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "'The Piano' winner Lucy set to perform at Coronation Concert", Pianist Magazine, 5 May 2023
- ^ a b Blue plaque unveiling for legendary Leeds pianist, teacher and competition founder Dame Fanny Waterman, 29 March 2023
- ^ 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.
- ^ McCrum, Kirstie (28 April 2024). "Everything about Channel 4 talent contest The Piano". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hyland, Ian (23 February 2023). "Simon Cowell will be grinding gears over Mika's life affirming show The Piano". mirror. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://variety.com/2023/global/news/the-great-british-bake-off-love-productions-the-piano-fremantle-1235545251
- ^ Saiz, David (3 September 2024). "La Sexta une a Mika y Pablo López en 'El Piano', la revelación de Reino Unido que ahora llega a España". El Periódico de Catalunya (in European Spanish). Retrieved 3 September 2024.