“Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and most important, the listener.” – Nils Frahm

As already assumed, the Piano Day is an annual worldwide event founded by a group of passionate people like Nils Frahm, which takes place on the 88th day of the year. The first World Piano Day was launched in 2005 and caused a buzz in the audience. Since then, music enthusiasts and piano lovers honour this event every year. In 2018 we celebrated the World Piano Day at the Blüthner Piano Centre with amazing artists like Andrew James Johnson, Alina K, Doug Thomas and Marta Cascales Alimbau.

Andrew James Johnson, Alina K, Doug Thomas and Marta Cascales Alimbau

In the first part of the evening, Andrew James Johnson presented some of his exceptional pieces from the album ‘Winter Heart’, which recently passed 1 million streams on Spotify. He was accompanied by cellist Klara Schumann giving Andrew’s piano performance a unique passionate touch.

Followed by his female colleagues Alina K and Marta Cascales Alimbau with their 25-minute sets of original, contemporary classical piano music, Andrew could take a break before his second set. We had the privilege to see two different performances by two different female artists, each of one of which created its own atmosphere of sound by playing self-composed authentic pieces. Alina K’s straight, clear and outspoken sound made a great contrast to Marta’s performance which was touching and beautifully emotional. Personal stories coupled with outstanding piano play impressed everyone who was lucky to be in the audience.

Not to forget Doug Thomas who gave an amazing host of the evening, introducing every artist warmly and welcoming.

The whole event was supported by Blüthner UK, letting the musicians play the its finest instruments in an amazing location in central London at the Blüthner Piano Centre on Baker Street.

Andrew James Johnson at Blüthner UK

What’s more, Andrew James Johnson’s performance of ‘Taylor’s Theme’ was shared by Classic FM on Facebook, so everyone who couldn’t attend this event had a chance to enjoy the music and be apart of Piano Day at the Blüthner Piano Centre.

The next event from Blüthner will take place on 17th of April at St. John’s Smith Square, featuring the pianist Martin Sturfält.

–Katja Latz-Voinich (editor)