1 00:00:03,280 --> 00:00:06,040 Tonight, the piano's at Manchester Piccadilly, 2 00:00:06,080 --> 00:00:08,680 where we're looking for talented amateur pianists 3 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:11,440 to take part in an incredible concert 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,440 at Birmingham Symphony Hall. 5 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,480 This is the City of Music. 6 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:23,360 It's not just Oasis - 7 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,000 Chopin even performed here. 8 00:00:25,040 --> 00:00:28,920 One of the biggest statues of Chopin in Europe is in Manchester, 9 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,000 did you know that? No, I did not know that. 10 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:32,440 Let's go and meet our mentor. 11 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:34,080 Come on, with your white collar. 12 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,120 Aw, thanks. It's very smart. It is. 13 00:00:36,160 --> 00:00:38,120 You can take it off and put it in the wash. 14 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:39,320 I like it! 15 00:00:45,160 --> 00:00:47,160 OK, tell us all about the mentor. 16 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:49,120 She is the real deal. 17 00:00:49,160 --> 00:00:51,040 She plays all over the world. 18 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:52,400 She's recorded albums 19 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:55,040 that have accumulated 500 million streams. 20 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:58,000 Wow. She's the leading classical pianist of her generation. 21 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,960 She is Alice Sara Ott and she is amazing. 22 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:16,400 Yes! 23 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:20,680 Welcome to The Piano. Thank you so much. 24 00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,160 I was so nervous. No! Really? Were you? 25 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,480 I've never played on a station piano. 26 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,360 I never dared to do that, so... 27 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:28,920 No, but you're the best... I know. 28 00:01:28,960 --> 00:01:30,200 ..on Earth. 29 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:31,520 And I really like your fringe. 30 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:32,840 You have a beautiful fringe. 31 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:34,360 We're having a fringe-off. 32 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,160 Everyone, Alice Sara Ott. 33 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:43,400 Platform two for the 34 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:47,600 10.33 Northern service to Hadfield. 35 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:49,680 Alice, what was that piece of music? 36 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:52,000 That was so beautiful. Thank you. 37 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,000 This was actually by a composer called John Field. 38 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,760 John Field lived in the 18th century, 39 00:01:57,800 --> 00:01:59,920 and is the inventor of the nocturne. 40 00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:01,400 What?! Yes. Yes. 41 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:02,960 So when we talk about the nocturne, 42 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:04,920 we often connect it to Frederic Chopin, 43 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,880 but Frederic Chopin was only four years old 44 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,280 when John Field wrote the very first nocturne. 45 00:02:09,320 --> 00:02:11,320 No! This is mind-blowing. And in what country? 46 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,160 Ireland. What?! 47 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,240 The nocturne was not invented by Chopin, 48 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,480 it was invented in Ireland by John. By a man called John. 49 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,200 By a man called John. 50 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,280 What are you looking for? 51 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:26,040 When I listen to someone for the first time, 52 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,800 it's not so much about, like, the technical skills or... 53 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:29,960 What the piece is, for me, 54 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,000 it's about what I feel in that moment. 55 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,760 That is something I find so beautiful and powerful about music, 56 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:36,280 and especially in a train station. 57 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:38,920 Alice, already, you are staying with me forever. 58 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:43,080 Passengers travelling to Leeds, Saltburn and Scarborough, 59 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,400 please note there are no direct services to these stations today. 60 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:51,960 Our first pianist only recently celebrated his seventh birthday. 61 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,680 This just looks like Liverpool City to me. 62 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,680 My name's Edward. Well, everybody calls me Teddy. 63 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,160 You can decide, like, what name you want to call me. 64 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:03,400 What's it like being seven? I feel taller, 65 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,760 because before I was, like, this tall and now I'm, like... 66 00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:08,120 ..this tall. 67 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:09,960 Right, ready, Teddy? Yes. Here he comes. 68 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,800 Off you go. Walk to Claudia. 69 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,320 He's so small that I can't see any of him. 70 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:19,760 Hi! 71 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,040 Really good to meet you. Hi, Teddy. Hi. 72 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:25,240 Talk to me about the teeth. 73 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:27,240 What did the tooth fairy leave you? 74 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,960 It was actually £11.20 - I can't believe that. 75 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:31,120 Oh, wow! 76 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,480 Can I shake your hand? Congratulations. 77 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,360 £11.20?! 78 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:39,360 Do you love the piano? Yes. 79 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,760 I started first loving the piano when I was four... 80 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:44,520 Got it. ..because I had a cat piano 81 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:47,480 And I would start to play, like, Ode To Joy in C major. 82 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:49,680 Ode To Joy in C major, mm. 83 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:51,800 Well, tell us what you're going to play for us today. 84 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:54,680 I'm going to play Faded, by Alan Walker. 85 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:56,080 It's one of my favourite songs. 86 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,000 Like, the first time, I think I was, like, watching TV... Yeah. 87 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:00,600 ..and then I stumbled into the song 88 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:02,800 and, like, I told my parents, 89 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:06,200 and without any practising, I just played it first try. No. 90 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,600 No. I did. No! I did. Hello? 91 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,520 You've got to have magic ears. I'm self-taught. 92 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:15,720 I'm gonna go and stand with Mum and Dad. 93 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:17,840 If you need anything, let me know. 94 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:19,000 How's that feel? 95 00:04:20,280 --> 00:04:22,520 Can he reach the pedals? Mm... 96 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:25,920 ..yes, he can. 97 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:27,600 I'm more nervous than this boy! 98 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:29,960 He's not nervous. He's absolutely fine. 99 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,200 OK, in your own time. 100 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:04,840 He just taught himself this song by hearing it? 101 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,040 Yeah. Wow. 102 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,280 And he's so connected with the world around him. 103 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:20,680 I love the piano because I really love the sound - 104 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,400 it's relaxing and it makes me happy. 105 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:28,840 It makes almost everyone happy, 106 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,280 especially my baby brother and all my family. 107 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,520 He plays that melody as if he was 108 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,400 describing and telling the story of a character or a person. 109 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:44,520 Mm. 110 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,720 Aw, that was a nice ending. Amazing! 111 00:05:58,760 --> 00:06:00,320 Aw! 112 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:01,800 Not one false step. 113 00:06:01,840 --> 00:06:03,280 Teddy, everyone! 114 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:10,120 He created some moment. 115 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,360 There was no pretentiousness, nothing. 116 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:14,880 I totally agree with you. 117 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:18,480 I have a feeling he will play the piano for the rest of his life. 118 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:19,960 Mm. 119 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:21,440 Well done, Ted! 120 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:22,680 We're so proud of you. 121 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,280 Claudia was very proud of me as well. 122 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,400 I'll get the umbrella when we get out. 123 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:31,320 Due to today's wet weather, 124 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,440 please take extra care whilst on the station. 125 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,320 Hello! BABY BABBLES 126 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,440 Hi! I like your jacket. 127 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,160 It looks casual. He's, like, got it all sorted. 128 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:46,520 Does he like piano? 129 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:48,520 Yes. Thank goodness for that. 130 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:52,560 I'm Andrew, I'm 52 years old, 131 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,160 I repair and paint cars for a living. 132 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:56,320 I've always loved cars. 133 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:59,200 We moved to a farm when I was about nine years old, 134 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,640 and the next farm on the road, they had a scrapyard, 135 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,800 and they used to give me a car to play in the field with, 136 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:05,600 and I've had cars ever since. 137 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,160 That's what I spend my time doing - 138 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:08,640 messing with my cars, 139 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,200 playing the piano and doing the garden. 140 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,920 The Revolutionary Etude - oh, my God! 141 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,000 Ooh, that's a difficult piece. 142 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:28,800 How many times have you played it? 143 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,200 I've failed playing it 144 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:32,960 more times than I've successfully played. 145 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:34,280 Good luck, Andrew. 146 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:49,080 I started playing when I was six years old. 147 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:51,840 I got a job when I left school, at a music shop. 148 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:55,560 They sold all these electric pianos, and the demo button on the piano, 149 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,280 one of them was this piece of music, and I fell in love with it. 150 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:06,000 Chopin wrote this piece when he heard about 151 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:07,920 the fall of Warsaw to Russia, 152 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:09,720 and it's filled with the rage 153 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:12,000 and the despair that he felt at the time. 154 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,800 In 1831, Chopin displayed his feelings. 155 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,320 It has aggression, it has radicalness in there, 156 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:27,760 and at the same time, 157 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:29,400 you know, you have to function all the time. 158 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:33,000 You have to be aware of every little movement. 159 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:39,680 When I discovered the classical repertoire, I got right into it. 160 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,040 So I decided I wanted to go to music college, 161 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,520 but I used to get very nervous performing 162 00:08:44,560 --> 00:08:46,600 and I didn't complete my course. 163 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:52,000 I didn't play the piano for ten years then, 164 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:54,280 until my old piano teacher contacted me 165 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,960 and encouraged me to start again and take it up. 166 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:05,800 I'm very impressed, because even if you're in full control 167 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,680 and you have this experience of playing this very difficult music 168 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:10,200 every day onstage, 169 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:12,760 even then, you know, it is a very risky piece. 170 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:23,120 Bravo. 171 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:27,280 Andrew, everyone! 172 00:09:29,680 --> 00:09:32,240 It's been a big battle for me over the years with nerves, 173 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:35,880 so to do something like this, yeah, it's quite an achievement for me. 174 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:37,240 I'm proud of myself. 175 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:41,080 How do you keep yourself calm before a performance? 176 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,960 I speak to my crew. Mm, that's nice. 177 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,040 I actually play video games before going onstage. 178 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:49,840 Yes, I have a Nintendo Switch I travel with. What?! 179 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:51,680 What? Are you serious? Yes! 180 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,200 BEEPING 181 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,320 Yeah. Well... And this is the bell. 182 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,680 BEEPING That's, 183 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:03,920 "Excuse me, please." 184 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:05,440 How pathetic is that? 185 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:10,840 I'm Joanna, I'm 44. 186 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:12,800 I live with my husband Ben 187 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:17,200 and my two wonderful boys, Billy and Ollie, in South Yorkshire. 188 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:18,680 Hi! Hiya! 189 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:20,560 I'm so excited to meet you. 190 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,000 Not as excited as I am. Look, I can't even walk! 191 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,120 Do you want any help, my darling? Thank you. 192 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:30,160 SHE TICS 193 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:36,000 Tell me all about you and the piano. 194 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:38,080 Started when I was nine... Yeah. 195 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:39,800 ..all thanks to my dad. Yeah. 196 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:41,960 Went through all the grades. 197 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,320 I just loved it from day dot. Yeah. 198 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:48,560 "Which would I find the most fun, 199 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,200 "Hula Hoop dancing 200 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:53,840 "or doing the three-legged race with one of you?" 201 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:57,480 I have always been so sociable. 202 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:03,840 Every job I've ever had has been using my love of music 203 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,400 to live a really fabulous life. 204 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,240 I was 28 when I decided I was going to be a teacher. 205 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:14,800 It wasn't work, it was just joyous. 206 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,600 And then I got this opportunity to become head of music 207 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,240 in a huge secondary school. 208 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,400 I had all these ideas, I had a five-year plan, and... 209 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:28,280 ..then I got poorly. 210 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,560 My hands are tingling, 211 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,320 my legs are numb. 212 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,840 I had moments of paralysis in my entire body. 213 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,200 My speech is already starting to go. 214 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,880 I was in incredible amounts of pain 215 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:44,280 and not able to play with my children. 216 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:45,360 I've still got it! 217 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:51,320 I was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, 218 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,720 and then I started having all these physical tics... 219 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,400 It's a good job the neighbours understand, isn't it?! 220 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,640 ..and vocal tics as well. 221 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:02,880 SHE TICS 222 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:08,560 And they actually diagnosed me with functional neurological disorder. 223 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:12,520 It's where the signals between the brain and the body misfire. 224 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,320 I had to make the decision that I wasn't going to be able to 225 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:18,840 go back into teaching. 226 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:21,000 My piano was delivered home, 227 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,040 and I just stared at it 228 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:28,240 because my hands just couldn't do what they used to do. 229 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:33,200 It's been really tricky trying to get my fingers moving again. 230 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:37,120 I had a fear of trying to play. I'm so sorry. 231 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:39,120 You're now panicking, aren't you? No. You're now going, 232 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:40,320 "Hang on, you're here to play!" 233 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:42,160 No, we could do something else if you want. 234 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,000 Let's do roly-polies. Yeah! 235 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,520 For eight months, I didn't touch a piano. 236 00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:50,160 Ding-dong. Ding-dong. 237 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:51,760 It just felt like 238 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,760 that's something that's in my past. 239 00:12:55,640 --> 00:12:57,840 But you can't have a piano sat in your house 240 00:12:57,880 --> 00:12:59,720 and it not keep calling to you. 241 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:01,400 Shake it off. 242 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:02,880 Ready to go. Go on! 243 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:52,000 To begin relearning, 244 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:57,840 I've had to try and rebuild and rewire parts of my brain... 245 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,920 ..but playing the piano helps reduce pain... 246 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,920 ..so it's been worth the hard work. 247 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,000 She's playing it with a lot of grace, huh? 248 00:14:22,040 --> 00:14:24,000 And the control she has... Yeah. 249 00:14:24,040 --> 00:14:26,600 ..in creating these dynamics, it's incredible. 250 00:14:30,200 --> 00:14:32,840 There's intention and care in every note. 251 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:42,000 Piano is a percussive instrument... Yeah. 252 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:43,840 ..but we want to make it sing. 253 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:47,240 That is the highest goal. 254 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,200 And she's actually doing that. 255 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,640 She's the best person I've ever heard play the piano, 256 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,040 and I'm so proud. 257 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:17,720 Shall we go down? Yeah. 258 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:24,240 Yes! 259 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:27,280 Amazing! 260 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:31,800 You were amazing! Do you want a cuddle from your boys? 261 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:34,400 Boys, come cuddle Mummy! 262 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,400 Go on. Cuddle Mummy. 263 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:38,760 Ah, look! 264 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:41,680 Oh! 265 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:44,480 Oh! 266 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:47,200 It's OK. It's OK. 267 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:48,360 It's OK. 268 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,720 It was really beautiful. 269 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:53,880 Oh, it's an honour to meet you. 270 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,400 No, it's so... It's so beautiful. 271 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:58,040 You know, you're not playing 272 00:15:58,080 --> 00:15:59,880 a percussive instrument, which the piano is, 273 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:01,320 you were singing. 274 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:03,080 Thank you. With grace... Thank you. 275 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:06,200 Yes. ..and control and emotion. 276 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:07,280 It's true. 277 00:16:08,320 --> 00:16:10,080 Thank you. Whew! 278 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:14,280 Whew! Everyone, Joanna! 279 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,720 The piece is called Song Without Words, 280 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:24,920 and they said I'd made the piano sing. 281 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:28,400 I loved that so much. 282 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,840 I got a picture! Oh, did you get a picture? 283 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:42,800 Platform ten for the service to Cardiff Central. 284 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:44,480 We're at Manchester Piccadilly, 285 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:46,920 where Mika and Alice Sara Ott 286 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:49,720 are the hunt for Britain's best street pianists. 287 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:52,080 What is... But you could do it too. 288 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:53,560 ..happening right now? 289 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:56,000 Why do you do this? 290 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:59,200 Because it keeps the hands warm to play piano. 291 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:00,440 Look at that! 292 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,640 That is the first time in my life 293 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:04,480 that I've seen someone do this! 294 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:10,600 Next to play for us will be 20-year-old local student Nico. 295 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,920 It feels quite comfortable performing in Manchester today. 296 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:14,840 Didn't have to travel far. Go on! 297 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:16,280 Come on, kid. You good? 298 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:17,720 You want to be in the vid? Yeah. 299 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:18,760 Show us a pose. 300 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:20,000 Come on. 301 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:22,440 Come on, kid. 302 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:24,600 Hello. Hello, miss. 303 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:26,640 Hi, Nico, I'm Claudia. 304 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:28,640 Nice to meet you, Claudia. Nice to meet you. 305 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:30,600 Tell me all about you and the piano. 306 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:32,440 So I started when I was 16. Yeah. 307 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:33,680 It was a bit random. Yeah. 308 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:34,880 You know, I just told Mum, 309 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:36,360 "Shall we get an electric keyboard?" 310 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:37,560 At the end of the lockdown, 311 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,640 we were just bored, and I just tinkered 312 00:17:39,680 --> 00:17:40,880 and I just enjoyed composition, 313 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:42,240 so I just carried on. 314 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,800 Every week, I was composing something new. Oh, wow. 315 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:46,920 To start with composing, it's different. 316 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:48,480 Tell me what you're going to play today. 317 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:51,240 So it's called Da'a Villa, which is Romanesque for From The Village. 318 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,040 Yeah. Because I have Italian heritage, 319 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:54,360 I'll try and leave a little piece of Italy 320 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:55,960 in every, you know, composition that I can. 321 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:57,040 That's so lovely. 322 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:00,120 I was born in Rome, 323 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,200 and then at seven, I came to Manchester. 324 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:03,960 I was raised by a single mum. 325 00:18:04,000 --> 00:18:06,880 She worked two jobs, so I spent a lot of the time at my nonna's 326 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:08,240 house, north of Rome. 327 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:09,680 She definitely helped raise me. 328 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,280 When I started to play the piano, I said to my nonna and my uncle, 329 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,360 "I want to do piano as a career." 330 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,080 My uncle's looking at me like, 331 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:21,600 "Come on, like... 332 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:22,920 "..it can be a hobby." 333 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:27,560 I put my hand on the piano, just started playing, and he said... 334 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:30,920 "That's what you're gonna do. That's what you're gonna do." 335 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,200 Wow. That was a nice start. 336 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:57,640 He's got a lot of Italy in him. 337 00:18:57,680 --> 00:18:59,880 It's like a musical DNA kind of thing. 338 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,280 My nonna was a very important person to me. 339 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:19,160 She passed away in 2024. 340 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:24,640 My composition is to remember her... 341 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,840 ..because her presence is still with me, you know, 342 00:19:28,880 --> 00:19:30,120 now and every day. 343 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:39,360 His composition is ambitious. 344 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:44,600 There are lots of really beautiful, powerful, very emotional elements... 345 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,720 ..and you are transported into an era you didn't expect at all. Yeah. 346 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:56,080 He's got his gold chain, he's got a black parka on. 347 00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:59,640 You can't judge the book by its cover. No, you can't. 348 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:06,520 Lovely! 349 00:20:06,560 --> 00:20:08,520 Brilliant! Wow. 350 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:09,840 Incredible. 351 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:11,640 Nico, everyone! 352 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:13,360 It was brilliant. Well done. 353 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:16,800 If he started at the age of 16, 354 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:20,600 and in four years, he can play at this level... It's amazing. 355 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,840 ..I think he has a lot of potential and he will grow so much. 356 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:29,000 I brought Italy to Manchester Piccadilly. 357 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,440 I'm a bit upset that it's over, you know what I mean? 358 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:32,600 I wish I could do it again. 359 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:40,360 Platform two for the service to New Mills Central. 360 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:42,040 How old is...? He's ten weeks. 361 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:43,640 Is he supposed to be having a nap? 362 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:45,000 Um... Because he might find the music.... 363 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:46,040 Well, that's what I'm thinking. 364 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:47,320 Yeah. I've not stopped swinging. 365 00:20:47,360 --> 00:20:48,520 I remember that. 366 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:49,840 You sway even when you're not holding them. 367 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:51,360 I remember that, yeah. 368 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,160 My eldest is 23, but I remember this. Aw! 369 00:20:59,920 --> 00:21:02,080 My name's Emma, I'm 15 years old, 370 00:21:02,120 --> 00:21:05,200 and I've been composing my own music since I was about 12. 371 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:15,800 What's it about? 372 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:17,600 There was a boy that I liked... Yeah? 373 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:19,560 ..and he was giving mixed signals. 374 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:21,640 Annoying. That's what boys do. Yeah, super annoying. 375 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,040 So I kind of wrote this song about how 376 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,200 I didn't know whether he liked me back or not. 377 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,040 I love the fact that you took all of that, 378 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:29,280 because boys are annoying... 379 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:31,280 Yeah. ..and then put it in a song. Yeah. 380 00:21:39,160 --> 00:21:40,480 Wow. 381 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,240 I like some of these ideas very much. 382 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:50,400 Do you hear the story between 383 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,560 the boy who was messing her around...? 384 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:56,600 You know what I hear? Is fragments of feelings. 385 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,160 You make it sound so beautiful - "Fragments of feelings." 386 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:02,960 It should be called that, the piece. 387 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:13,960 My name is Andi, 388 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,680 I live in Stockport, but I'm originally from Romania. 389 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,640 This is my own composition. 390 00:22:27,680 --> 00:22:29,520 It's a reflection of my past. 391 00:22:31,000 --> 00:22:34,560 It's, again, his composition. Everybody's got so much courage. 392 00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:42,320 My biological parents abandoned me, 393 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:44,480 and after that, I've been fostered, 394 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:49,800 and then I was part of a religious sect. 395 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:56,520 I had no control over my thoughts, 396 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:58,440 I was constantly told what to do. 397 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:01,280 However, we had a music room in there, 398 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,840 and we had a very old piano. 399 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:08,600 It was my safe space where no-one knows what I'm doing, 400 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:09,760 what I'm thinking of. 401 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:14,880 This kind of, like, rhythm... 402 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,560 Ra-pa-pa. 403 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:18,600 ..it's, like, almost march-like. Mm-hm. 404 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,960 That is very often used in music 405 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:22,880 to connect to oppression. 406 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:27,000 Having the piano as that place where he felt like 407 00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:28,840 he could express himself, 408 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:30,200 it is so powerful. 409 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:36,240 Discovering the piano woke me up. 410 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:42,400 I wanted to study music. However, the sect didn't allow me. 411 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:46,800 So without anyone else actually knowing what's going on, 412 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:49,160 I enrolled myself in a music school, 413 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:51,800 and I was asked to leave the cult. 414 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:55,520 I think if that piano wasn't there, 415 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,040 I probably would have not been here right now, 416 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:00,080 and I couldn't be more grateful for that. 417 00:24:02,120 --> 00:24:05,040 I wasn't expecting something so grandiose. 418 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:11,720 But that happens when you're in a contained space - 419 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:17,360 you develop what freedom means, because you can't censor notes. 420 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,080 You can't censor a note. 421 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,960 There's lots of really beautiful, powerful elements... 422 00:24:28,360 --> 00:24:31,680 ..but there was a certain repetition in it for me. 423 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:34,200 I play a lot of music by composers 424 00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,960 who have passed away 200 years ago. 425 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,280 What sets them apart is 426 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,080 there is something about their music that is unpredictable. 427 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:45,160 When I play a Beethoven 428 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:47,360 and he has this moment where you go, like, 429 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,000 "How on Earth did he come to that resolution?" 430 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:53,600 Creativity can be spontaneous. 431 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,480 You can do your own thing, and it's a good way to, 432 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:57,360 you know, set yourself free. 433 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,000 I'm Jamie, I'm 19. 434 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:00,720 I'm currently studying in Manchester, 435 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:02,120 but I'm from Liverpool. 436 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:04,360 I don't actually know what I'm going to play. 437 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:08,280 Jamie, he's talented. 438 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:10,440 He learns things really fast. 439 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,360 When he was little, he was playing piano one day. 440 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:15,720 I didn't even realise that he was learning 441 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:17,360 the Pirates Of The Caribbean, 442 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:19,960 and then two days later, he was saying, 443 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:21,520 "Mommy, can you film me?" 444 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,800 And he was able to play all of it without any notes. 445 00:25:33,520 --> 00:25:36,320 How long is the service today? An hour. 446 00:25:36,360 --> 00:25:38,440 I have to play serious moody music. 447 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:40,280 I'm in first year for uni, 448 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:42,200 but I go back to Liverpool on the weekends 449 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:44,800 because I play at the local parish in the church, on the organ. 450 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:47,880 It's a really small community 451 00:25:47,920 --> 00:25:49,800 and the people there are really nice, 452 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:51,400 but it's a bit too classical. 453 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:52,920 It's not that free, 454 00:25:52,960 --> 00:25:55,400 so sometimes I improvise in Mass. 455 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:57,920 And then I do the gospel. 456 00:25:57,960 --> 00:25:59,640 Just wait for me to announce the hymn. OK. 457 00:25:59,680 --> 00:26:02,080 The priest there, he gives me these books 458 00:26:02,120 --> 00:26:04,480 with really strange music and he says, 459 00:26:04,520 --> 00:26:06,000 "Hey, improvise in this." 460 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:08,120 That's when I discovered that improvising is, like, 461 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:09,160 kind of my thing. 462 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:11,560 What are you going to play for us today? 463 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:13,600 I'm going to do a little improvisation. 464 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:16,040 Oh. Oh, wow! 465 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,520 I'm gonna ask you to sing a few notes, if that's all right. 466 00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:19,680 Me? Yeah, yeah. 467 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:21,280 You don't mean that. I mean that. I mean that. 468 00:26:21,320 --> 00:26:22,880 No! Ah! Oh, my goodness. 469 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:25,080 And then he's gonna improvise on it. Oh! Oh, that's so cool. 470 00:26:25,120 --> 00:26:27,840 I'm not allowed to sing Happy Birthday to any member of my family, 471 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:29,120 I'm that unmusical. 472 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:30,200 Just sing... Can I just press? 473 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:31,360 To sing is better. 474 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:32,400 Sing it? 475 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:33,440 # La? # 476 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:35,320 # La. # MATCHES PITCH ON PIANO 477 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:37,200 Yeah, that. I like the black notes. 478 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,440 Yeah, go on. HIGH-PITCHED NOTE 479 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:42,200 All right. OK, yeah. 480 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:43,520 Are you happy? 481 00:26:43,560 --> 00:26:44,600 Those two notes are fine. Are they? 482 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:46,000 I want to ask you for an emotion as well. 483 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:47,720 Like, how are you feeling? Like... OK. 484 00:26:47,760 --> 00:26:49,080 Enthusiastic. 485 00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:50,600 Is that all right? That's a really good one, yeah. 486 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,080 I can't believe... We've never had this before. 487 00:26:52,120 --> 00:26:53,200 This is a Piano first. 488 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:55,920 I'm now curious if he's gonna use them as a bass. 489 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:58,200 It's more going to be like an interval. Yeah. 490 00:26:58,240 --> 00:26:59,480 # Da, da, da, da... # 491 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:00,560 Jaws! 492 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:01,760 # Dun, dun, dun, dun... # 493 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:03,280 Ah. It's the interval of horror movies. 494 00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:04,600 Good luck, Jamie. Thank you. 495 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:05,840 I'm going to stand with your brother. 496 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:07,960 She literally couldn't have made his life worse. 497 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:11,160 He has to make a piece that's enthusiastic 498 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:13,840 based on the scariest... Two notes, yeah. 499 00:27:13,880 --> 00:27:16,080 ..two-note interval in the history of music. 500 00:27:16,120 --> 00:27:18,240 All right, Alex, is he nuts, your brother? 501 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:19,720 MUSIC: Jaws Theme by John Williams 502 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:20,920 Do you want a minute? 503 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:23,760 Oh, I'm fine, yeah. You sure? Yeah. 504 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:26,720 I'll do a bit of the thinking right before the piece. 505 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:28,040 You nervous? Yeah. 506 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:29,760 I'm nervous, definitely. 507 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:31,640 I'm worried for him, you know? 508 00:27:31,680 --> 00:27:33,000 He could have just done Chopin. 509 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:03,120 Whoa! Ah. 510 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:07,600 We were so off track. 511 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,480 Sometimes when I'm improvising in Mass, 512 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:22,560 I feel like I'm getting took over by, like, some spirit or something. 513 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:25,360 Like, not literally, but it feels like that. 514 00:28:28,480 --> 00:28:30,000 There's no thinking involved, really. 515 00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:34,560 It's kind of like second nature. 516 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:45,720 I was really thinking in a completely different way 517 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:46,960 with these two notes. 518 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:51,520 Wow. 519 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:02,040 I think it's so much more than enthusiasm. 520 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:04,280 Enthusiasm doesn't come alone, no? 521 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,200 There is something that leads into the enthusiasm... Exactly. 522 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:09,120 ..and then there's something you have afterwards... 523 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:14,520 ..and that's really nice. It's great. 524 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:22,760 Come on, he's doing it! 525 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:25,600 Even the climax, he's using those two notes! 526 00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:30,800 We should go downstairs. 527 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:41,240 Amazing. 528 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:44,680 Look who came to see you. No way. 529 00:29:45,720 --> 00:29:47,400 Hey, Jamie. 530 00:29:47,440 --> 00:29:48,960 So nice to see you both. 531 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:50,080 Oh, my gosh. This is Alice. Hi. 532 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:51,320 You took the two... Nice to meet you. 533 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:54,000 ..like, most uncomfortable-sounding notes 534 00:29:54,040 --> 00:29:55,680 and you made something so beautiful. 535 00:29:55,720 --> 00:29:56,760 Yeah, we were expecting Jaws... 536 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:58,000 Yeah. Yeah! 537 00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:00,600 ..and instead, we got David Attenborough's journey of life. 538 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:02,440 It was amazing. I'll take that. I'll take it. Yeah! Yeah! 539 00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:04,400 Well done, Jamie. Jamie, everyone! 540 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:16,680 Are you happy? I'm so happy, yeah. I'm so happy. 541 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:18,760 Mika literally came out - I can't believe it! 542 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:20,280 I'll take that. I'll take that. 543 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:24,200 That was really magic. Yeah. That was super nice. 544 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:26,680 So my question is, is he a contender? 545 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:28,400 For me, yes, definitely. 546 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:30,200 Surprisingly good. 547 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:31,960 I had very low expectations - 548 00:30:32,000 --> 00:30:33,200 I think you were the same. 549 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:41,440 Nice to meet you. Nice to meet YOU. 550 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:43,080 Can I get a picture with you? Yeah, go on. 551 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:45,080 I'm not saying no to you. Yeah. 552 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:46,560 Lovely. Go on, darling. 553 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:47,720 It's my daughter's 13th birthday - 554 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:48,920 could you wish her happy birthday? Yeah. 555 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:50,760 She's called Allegra. 556 00:30:50,800 --> 00:30:52,720 Hi, Allegra. Happy, happy birthday. 557 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:54,960 If I were you, ask for a puppy or a kitten. 558 00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:57,320 Thank you. 559 00:30:57,360 --> 00:30:58,680 Next to play our piano... 560 00:30:58,720 --> 00:31:00,240 I'm ready, I think. 561 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:03,000 ..is 17-year-old William from Ripon. 562 00:31:03,040 --> 00:31:05,840 So, William, you're a busy man. Just a little bit. 563 00:31:05,880 --> 00:31:07,840 I mean, go through all the things you do, 564 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:09,320 because I've been reading about you. Yeah, yeah. 565 00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:10,680 So I play loads of instruments. 566 00:31:10,720 --> 00:31:13,600 I'm a pianist primarily, but I play French horn, guitar, 567 00:31:13,640 --> 00:31:15,600 and I do a bit of percussion as well, which is good fun - 568 00:31:15,640 --> 00:31:17,440 I really enjoy that. Is it true you're playing the French horn 569 00:31:17,480 --> 00:31:19,560 in the school's version of Oliver today? 570 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:21,240 Yes, as soon as I'm done here. 571 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:23,480 I'm also a part-time milkman in the mornings, 572 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:26,080 and I now volunteer with the local Scout group with my dad. 573 00:31:26,120 --> 00:31:29,120 I do want you to have a lie-down at some point. 574 00:31:31,680 --> 00:31:32,960 This is a creative arts badge. 575 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:35,960 Then we've got the silver D of E, the fundraising badge. 576 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,120 He's not your typical teenager. 577 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:40,120 He's probably grown up a bit before his time, 578 00:31:40,160 --> 00:31:42,280 but I think that's because our family 579 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:43,800 is quite different to a lot 580 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:45,680 of normal families, if you like. 581 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,080 Good day at school? No. 582 00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:50,280 No? Well, that's the wrong answer. 583 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:52,960 My sister Ellie has a life-limiting condition 584 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:54,560 called spinal muscular atrophy, 585 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:56,600 so I help my parents look after her 586 00:31:56,640 --> 00:31:59,360 and make sure that she has as good a life as she can. 587 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:01,040 We always banter with each other. 588 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:03,760 WILLIAM GROANS Yeah, just manhandle me. 589 00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:05,400 But we've got a really good relationship - 590 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:06,920 very close. 591 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:11,840 I think he takes inspiration from me to keep going. 592 00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:15,280 A little part of me in him, which I'm quite happy to see. 593 00:32:29,320 --> 00:32:30,400 Playing the piano, 594 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:32,800 it gives me a break from the busyness of everything, 595 00:32:32,840 --> 00:32:34,480 because I'm so focused on the piano, 596 00:32:34,520 --> 00:32:35,880 I can't think about anything else. 597 00:32:44,720 --> 00:32:48,520 He's quite an organised and straight-laced guy, right? Mm. 598 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:51,320 I find it interesting that he's brought something jazzy, 599 00:32:51,360 --> 00:32:52,760 with a little bit of sauce. 600 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:55,920 And it's nice for him to have a bit of sauce. 601 00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:02,680 Obviously with my sister, 602 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:04,840 it's definitely challenging at times. 603 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:07,000 I almost feel like sometimes, with all the busyness I do, 604 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:08,280 I'm kind of making up for both of us, 605 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,000 to make up for the stuff that she can't do, so, yeah. 606 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:22,480 William, everyone! 607 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:23,760 They love you. 608 00:33:25,680 --> 00:33:27,640 I really hope he doesn't stop playing the piano. No. 609 00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:30,480 If anything, that part of his life should be expanded. 610 00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:33,840 It would also give him more room to really be selfish. 611 00:33:33,880 --> 00:33:35,080 In a good way selfish... In a good way, yes. 612 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:36,240 ..just a little bit. 613 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:38,080 Because I could still feel sometimes 614 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:40,400 he's still organising a little bit. 615 00:33:40,440 --> 00:33:41,640 He's amazing. Yeah. 616 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:43,720 I'm going to go home and shout at my children. 617 00:33:43,760 --> 00:33:44,760 No, don't do that! 618 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:46,280 I'm just gonna say, "Be more William." 619 00:33:46,320 --> 00:33:47,360 Be more William. 620 00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:50,120 Well done. Now we've got to get you to school now. 621 00:33:50,160 --> 00:33:51,160 Yeah! 622 00:34:05,760 --> 00:34:06,920 I'm Ida. 623 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:09,160 I'm actually born in Singapore, 624 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:12,520 but I've been here for almost 20 years. 625 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:20,800 Richard Clayderman, he was my first crush. 626 00:34:22,960 --> 00:34:24,840 He has these soft brown eyes. 627 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:27,000 Oh, my goodness, Richard Clayderman! 628 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:29,520 Yeah. 629 00:34:31,280 --> 00:34:34,720 So Richard Clayderman comes to Manchester station. 630 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:37,240 No! No, I mean, through your music. 631 00:34:37,280 --> 00:34:38,280 OK! 632 00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:39,600 Oh, God, Claudia! 633 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:43,080 Sorry, I don't know where he lives. 634 00:34:43,120 --> 00:34:45,000 I imagine in a cabin. 635 00:34:45,040 --> 00:34:47,920 And the mentor is Richard Clayderman. 636 00:34:47,960 --> 00:34:51,000 She's going to be very disappointed when she sees us. Yeah. 637 00:34:58,120 --> 00:35:00,640 Oh, my gosh, she's playing it. Yes, she's playing it, 638 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:02,720 or reliving the memory. She's playing it on her suitcase. 639 00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:03,760 Yeah. 640 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:06,920 I have such mixed feelings, 641 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:11,880 because this is one piece I do not like. 642 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:14,080 You don't like it? No, I really don't. 643 00:35:14,120 --> 00:35:16,000 Don't tell that to the lady that was playing it on her suitcase. 644 00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:17,560 No, but she connects to this piece, 645 00:35:17,600 --> 00:35:20,320 so I am touched by her performance very much. 646 00:35:21,680 --> 00:35:25,840 Platform seven for the Northern service to Alderley Edge. 647 00:35:25,880 --> 00:35:27,840 Hi. How old are you? 648 00:35:27,880 --> 00:35:29,840 Three. Three? 649 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:31,040 You're a big boy! 650 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:32,920 Do you like the piano? Yeah? 651 00:35:35,280 --> 00:35:37,000 He's so sweet. 652 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:40,360 Do you think she would notice if I just took him home? 653 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:45,520 Last to play for us at Manchester Piccadilly 654 00:35:45,560 --> 00:35:47,840 is 34-year-old Brendan. 655 00:35:47,880 --> 00:35:50,720 I often ask people, "Are you OK with playing in this station?" 656 00:35:50,760 --> 00:35:53,360 I'm not going to ask you that because you know this station. 657 00:35:53,400 --> 00:35:54,800 I do. 658 00:35:54,840 --> 00:35:57,880 Last year, I was homeless in Manchester, 659 00:35:57,920 --> 00:36:00,960 and this station has got a piano just down the bottom 660 00:36:01,000 --> 00:36:04,640 that kept me going through that difficult moment in my life. 661 00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:09,800 I played the piano a lot when I was a child. 662 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:11,840 I used to listen to TV themes 663 00:36:11,880 --> 00:36:14,040 and see how close I could get to them. 664 00:36:14,080 --> 00:36:18,080 The next thing I know, I'm doing a few graded examinations, 665 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:19,720 but like for most of us, 666 00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:21,000 life gets in the way. 667 00:36:22,320 --> 00:36:24,880 My whole career path was, 668 00:36:24,920 --> 00:36:27,040 "I'm going to be a chef, I'm going to be a chef," 669 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:28,760 so for about ten years, 670 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:31,600 the passion and the determination just sort of took me over. 671 00:36:33,040 --> 00:36:36,120 Then came the idea of setting up a business, 672 00:36:36,160 --> 00:36:38,040 but 2020 suddenly arrived... 673 00:36:39,160 --> 00:36:41,760 ..and hospitality is not a very sustainable business 674 00:36:41,800 --> 00:36:44,320 when pubs and restaurants are closed down. 675 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:48,440 I tried so hard to carry on, 676 00:36:48,480 --> 00:36:52,240 but it was probably about three months into Covid 677 00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:54,640 when I realised that things were gonna be 678 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:56,600 very, very difficult financially. 679 00:36:58,200 --> 00:37:00,160 I spoke to the landlord I was with at the time, 680 00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:02,600 and the landlord was very, very nice, 681 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:04,920 but I didn't want to be difficult. 682 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:10,440 I just left, and didn't have anywhere that I could go. 683 00:37:12,120 --> 00:37:15,920 I was really nervous about being homeless in Nottingham 684 00:37:15,960 --> 00:37:18,920 because all my friends were around there, 685 00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:21,320 so I just used the last of my money 686 00:37:21,360 --> 00:37:24,200 just to go as far away as I could... 687 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:28,480 ..and I just found myself in Manchester. 688 00:37:30,240 --> 00:37:32,040 I remember coming off the bus 689 00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:35,000 and not having any idea of anywhere in Manchester, 690 00:37:35,040 --> 00:37:37,360 and so I just walked. 691 00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:42,320 I stumbled into Piccadilly Station... 692 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:45,960 ..and I hear the piano. 693 00:38:09,920 --> 00:38:11,320 Ooh. Yeah, it's beautiful. 694 00:38:17,280 --> 00:38:20,560 The piece, Hurricane, when I was writing it, 695 00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:22,080 each different section, 696 00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:25,360 I put different parts of what's happened. 697 00:38:32,680 --> 00:38:35,520 And I'm releasing so much tension. 698 00:38:43,040 --> 00:38:44,720 Wow, he put really, like, 699 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:46,480 difficult and ambitious elements in there. 700 00:38:56,280 --> 00:39:00,080 And he is the first pianist today that respects silence. 701 00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:04,240 The power of the space between the chords. 702 00:39:05,800 --> 00:39:09,440 Onstage, we have a different perception of time, 703 00:39:09,480 --> 00:39:12,720 and so actually keeping that pause takes courage. 704 00:39:12,760 --> 00:39:13,800 Exactly. 705 00:39:21,680 --> 00:39:24,120 There's a little bit of the piece 706 00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:27,640 where you've got just the right hand playing. 707 00:39:30,520 --> 00:39:34,880 I was looking back to the moment of having to leave my home, 708 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:37,720 the hesitation of popping the keys through the letterbox. 709 00:39:41,040 --> 00:39:43,320 Keeping the keys in my hand, 710 00:39:43,360 --> 00:39:46,160 wanting to let go, but not quite there. 711 00:39:58,760 --> 00:40:00,960 What a monumental piece. Piece, yes. 712 00:40:04,560 --> 00:40:05,800 It's his life... 713 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:09,280 ..and music pulled him through 714 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:11,720 during the biggest challenges of his life. 715 00:40:17,120 --> 00:40:20,680 Being homeless, one of the hardest things is finding something to do 716 00:40:20,720 --> 00:40:22,440 and finding a purpose to keep going. 717 00:40:24,640 --> 00:40:26,560 To be able to come to the station 718 00:40:26,600 --> 00:40:30,560 and play and occupy my time was just magical. 719 00:40:32,120 --> 00:40:34,160 That little seat and this little piano 720 00:40:34,200 --> 00:40:36,160 were my little safe space of hope. 721 00:40:43,040 --> 00:40:44,080 Brilliant! 722 00:40:45,440 --> 00:40:46,720 Wow. 723 00:40:46,760 --> 00:40:50,240 I found that really moving for so many reasons. Me too. 724 00:40:50,280 --> 00:40:51,720 Brendan, everybody! 725 00:40:53,880 --> 00:40:55,960 I love how he played with the keys, you know? 726 00:40:56,000 --> 00:40:57,520 Starting in a positive key, 727 00:40:57,560 --> 00:41:00,600 and then he changed into the dramatic C-sharp minor, 728 00:41:00,640 --> 00:41:03,120 which, by the way, also Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 729 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:05,320 the third movement, which portrays a stone house. 730 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:06,960 And then he finishes in the major key, 731 00:41:07,000 --> 00:41:08,200 it's like the resolution. 732 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:09,280 It's his life - 733 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:13,440 that's why it's a monumental piece for him, from him. 734 00:41:15,120 --> 00:41:18,560 I eventually built up the courage just to message somebody 735 00:41:18,600 --> 00:41:19,840 and just ask for help, 736 00:41:19,880 --> 00:41:22,800 and two very special people in North Wales 737 00:41:22,840 --> 00:41:24,680 offered me a place to stay 738 00:41:24,720 --> 00:41:28,760 and then help find somewhere to live and a job. 739 00:41:30,040 --> 00:41:32,200 But if the piano wasn't here, 740 00:41:32,240 --> 00:41:36,520 I don't know whether I would be in the better position I am now. 741 00:41:38,960 --> 00:41:41,160 It might be a very difficult decision today. 742 00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:43,880 All the better. We don't like the easy ones. 743 00:41:48,000 --> 00:41:51,400 Everyone who has performed for us at Manchester Piccadilly 744 00:41:51,440 --> 00:41:52,760 has gathered together to hear 745 00:41:52,800 --> 00:41:54,240 who Alice and Mika 746 00:41:54,280 --> 00:41:57,240 will choose to perform at the final concert. 747 00:41:57,280 --> 00:41:59,280 What did you think of Manchester? 748 00:41:59,320 --> 00:42:00,680 I loved it. Yeah. 749 00:42:00,720 --> 00:42:02,080 It was very emotional. 750 00:42:02,120 --> 00:42:04,560 I cried, I laughed, I smiled. 751 00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:09,760 When I was told Jamie was going to do some improvisation, 752 00:42:09,800 --> 00:42:11,560 I was a little bit sick in my mouth. 753 00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:12,880 You know, just a little bit. 754 00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:16,920 And then he came up with this beautiful piece. 755 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:18,440 It was brilliant. 756 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:21,880 I could never imagine a world 757 00:42:21,920 --> 00:42:25,240 where Jamie is not creating and playing the piano. 758 00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:30,080 Joanna. There's magic. 759 00:42:30,120 --> 00:42:33,240 She has faced more challenges than most of us. 760 00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:35,040 But once she started playing, 761 00:42:35,080 --> 00:42:37,800 she had full control over what she was doing. Mm. 762 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:40,720 It was so inspirational to see. 763 00:42:40,760 --> 00:42:42,600 You also loved Brendan. 764 00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:45,400 He is the ultimate example of 765 00:42:45,440 --> 00:42:49,040 the transformative power of what the piano can do. Mm. Yes. 766 00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:52,480 There was something so generous and warm in this piece. 767 00:42:52,520 --> 00:42:54,520 Now comes the really tricky bit. 768 00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:55,800 You won't like this, Alice, 769 00:42:55,840 --> 00:42:57,480 but you are going to have to choose somebody 770 00:42:57,520 --> 00:43:00,160 who's going to play in your final concert. 771 00:43:00,200 --> 00:43:01,280 Do you know? 772 00:43:02,640 --> 00:43:05,160 Oh, you just said yes. I think I know. 773 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:06,840 I'm torn between two. 774 00:43:08,480 --> 00:43:09,520 Oh, God. 775 00:43:12,040 --> 00:43:13,400 Hello, everybody. 776 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,880 It's so lovely to see you all together. 777 00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:21,160 Have you enjoyed meeting each other? ALL: Yes! 778 00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:24,480 You haven't just been playing for our lovely commuters, 779 00:43:24,520 --> 00:43:29,560 you have also been playing for the amazing Alice Sara Ott and Mika. 780 00:43:32,720 --> 00:43:33,840 Hi. 781 00:43:33,880 --> 00:43:36,160 First of all, thank you for coming here. 782 00:43:36,200 --> 00:43:38,920 I have so much admiration for your courage. 783 00:43:38,960 --> 00:43:41,240 I could feel the emotions you went through, 784 00:43:41,280 --> 00:43:43,880 and you did it in such a brilliant way. 785 00:43:43,920 --> 00:43:45,360 Hi, Teddy. Hi. 786 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:47,440 You're a very impressive young man... 787 00:43:48,720 --> 00:43:50,480 ..and I hope you keep on playing the piano 788 00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:52,760 even when your two front teeth come back. 789 00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:58,720 Once again, we are planning a final concert. 790 00:43:58,760 --> 00:44:01,520 This time, it's going to be somewhere new for us, 791 00:44:01,560 --> 00:44:03,040 which is the Birmingham Symphony Hall. 792 00:44:03,080 --> 00:44:07,200 We would love for all of you to be present at that final concert 793 00:44:07,240 --> 00:44:09,960 because you are now all part of this journey 794 00:44:10,000 --> 00:44:11,600 that is The Piano. 795 00:44:11,640 --> 00:44:13,920 We are going to be choosing one person 796 00:44:13,960 --> 00:44:16,680 to play onstage at that final concert. 797 00:44:18,000 --> 00:44:20,880 And the person we have chosen is... 798 00:44:28,280 --> 00:44:29,600 ..Jamie. 799 00:44:35,360 --> 00:44:36,680 You look shocked. 800 00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:38,320 Thank you so much. 801 00:44:38,360 --> 00:44:40,000 I just didn't expect it to happen, 802 00:44:40,040 --> 00:44:41,800 and then as soon as they said my name, 803 00:44:41,840 --> 00:44:43,040 I thought I was in a dream. 804 00:44:45,880 --> 00:44:48,040 The reason I did this was to, like, maybe bring something new, 805 00:44:48,080 --> 00:44:51,520 and now that I get that opportunity, I feel really blessed, for sure. 806 00:44:53,480 --> 00:44:57,040 He's an improbable choice, almost a risky choice... 807 00:44:58,480 --> 00:45:02,080 ..but the possibilities are huge for a final concert. 808 00:45:04,400 --> 00:45:06,640 What he did is to break this barrier. 809 00:45:06,680 --> 00:45:10,160 He engages the audience, he makes them part of it, 810 00:45:10,200 --> 00:45:12,280 and that, I think, what music is about. 811 00:45:12,320 --> 00:45:14,720 It's something we create together onstage 812 00:45:14,760 --> 00:45:16,200 and in the audience. 813 00:45:17,760 --> 00:45:18,760 Well done. Wow! 814 00:45:20,960 --> 00:45:24,160 But Jamie may not be the only pianist here today 815 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:26,680 to make it to the final concert. 816 00:45:26,720 --> 00:45:29,880 This year, I've held back one space. 817 00:45:31,680 --> 00:45:35,000 If a pianist has really impressed us, 818 00:45:35,040 --> 00:45:37,320 we've got this thing called the wild card. 819 00:45:38,400 --> 00:45:39,760 So the question is... 820 00:45:40,920 --> 00:45:45,920 ..has anybody impressed us enough for us to use our wild card? 821 00:45:47,800 --> 00:45:49,160 And the answer is yes. 822 00:45:51,040 --> 00:45:52,240 Next time, 823 00:45:52,280 --> 00:45:55,960 we reveal which Manchester pianist will receive a wild card... 824 00:45:56,000 --> 00:45:59,000 Mika couldn't bear not seeing you again. 825 00:45:59,040 --> 00:46:02,600 ..and after hearing all of our returning pianists play again... 826 00:46:02,640 --> 00:46:05,800 # Take me to your river... # 827 00:46:05,840 --> 00:46:08,120 ..we'll discover who will be given the last place 828 00:46:08,160 --> 00:46:09,880 at our final concert... 829 00:46:09,920 --> 00:46:12,920 And I'll see you in the mentoring session. 830 00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:14,280 ..and to prepare them all... 831 00:46:14,320 --> 00:46:16,040 Yee-hah! 832 00:46:16,080 --> 00:46:18,960 ..we welcome back a very special mentor... 833 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:22,080 Just like that, he came back. 834 00:46:22,120 --> 00:46:23,800 Hey! ..Jon Batiste. 835 00:46:25,040 --> 00:46:27,240 It's actually fun. It's got to be fun! 836 00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:29,040 Ha-ha! 837 00:46:29,080 --> 00:46:31,080 Subtitles by Red Bee Media