The Piano

Television ABC
1

image
image1048×778 104 KB

The Piano is a new and uplifting six-part series unearthing everyday pianists from all over Australia through the celebration of the street piano. The series gives regular Australians the opportunity of a lifetime when they are invited to play at busy locations around the country. What the pianists don’t know is that they are being observed by two renowned expert musicians, multi-award winning and musical powerhouse Harry Connick Jr, and one of Australia’s greatest classical concert pianists, Andrea Lam. The pair are hidden away watching every note played and together they will choose a pianist from each location to mentor and play at a special end-of-series concert on one of Australia’s most revered stages, Sydney’s City Recital Hall.

Hosted by Amanda Keller, The Piano’s secret mission is to find and meet incredible community pianists who don’t aspire to stardom but simply have a passion for playing piano. Some of the most amazing performances have been filmed and gone viral, watched by millions online. But who are these people playing the world’s favourite instrument?

One instrument. A universal language and the power of music to connect us all. This Arts series uses the piano as a unique device to tell the stories of ordinary Australians, with an extraordinary musical gift.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Eureka production for the ABC. Major production investment from the ABC. Executive Producers: Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell. ABC Commissioning Editor: Julie Hanna. ABC Head of Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones.

1 Like
2

So this is the mysterious piano show that had been filmed in Melbourne and Sydney in the past two months, culminating with a special performance at Sydney’s City Recital Hall on October 23.

1 Like
3

Can’t they come up with a better title for the show than this generic name? I immediately thought of the movie The Piano.

Street Piano would be a better title.

1 Like
4

The UK version (which featured Chinese classical legend Lang Lang in the mentor role) unearthed a genuine viral star in Lucy Illingworth.
If this version can find someone talented with a backstory like Lucy’s, there’s no limits as to how this could turn out.

1 Like
5

One of ABC’s biggest new shows for 2025 is The Piano hosted by Amanda Keller, in which cameras capture everyday Australians tinkling the ivories in public stations -all without knowing they are being watched by celebrity judges, with a concert at Sydney Recital Hall at the end.

“We’re thrilled that we were offered this format,” she declares. “We think it’s right in the sweet spot of public broadcasting. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diversity of Australians on screen and their connection to music .The emotion that comes from this show is incredible. I think there’ll be tears every episode. Participants show up to play on a street piano and have no idea that they’re being watched by none other than Harry Connick Jr and Andrea Lam, who we’re really thrilled to have on board this show. It’s showing how music can enrich lives and give so much joy to people in their ordinary lives. You’re hearing about their backgrounds and what music has done for them, supporting them through really tough times, or bringing families together, groups of people together in a community – it’s just joyful and beautiful.”

Collins says the range of participants is a big part of the show’s attraction.

“You see the younger children who are just learning the joy of the piano. But then you’re seeing an elder Australian who is in his 80s, who lost his wife recently, and reminisces on the piano ….playing sort of held them together as a couple,” she explains.

“There’s four women called The Evergreens sitting at the piano at any one time, and they’ve learned their particular pieces to an arrangement and that’s part of their coming together as older women.

“You see the joy on people’s faces, as they’re walking through the train station. They hear this music, and they just stop, and they’re captivated.”

The Classic 100 gala will screen in tandem with The Piano.

6

Jennifer Collins also said the show would be shown weekly on both TV and iView, as a winner would be declared at the end.