The Piano (AU) Season 1 Episode 2
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00:00Welcome to the piano. We're in Melbourne and I've hired some muscle to wheel our piano here
00:13into Southern Cross Station. Pianos are appearing in public places just like this
00:21all over the world. There are over 300 of them spread throughout Australia
00:27and they're doing something magical. In a world that can be so busy and disconnected
00:34these street pianos are allowing people to come together and to share the power of music.
00:42So it's here on Wurundjeri land that we've once again asked a bunch of regular yet very talented
00:49Australians to take a seat at our public piano to share their stories and to show us how this
00:56glorious instrument has changed their lives. But of course we aren't alone. Along with their
01:05audience of commuters are two world-class pianists who are hiding just up there in that yellow block
01:13of offices. Another station. This is nice. One of the world's biggest names in music,
01:23Harry Connick Jr. He has Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards and even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
01:35Andrea Lamb is regarded as one of Australia's leading classical pianists with credits including
01:40every orchestra I've ever heard of across the globe. Can we see them? Oh, it's over there. I like it.
01:50At every location we travel to, they'll pick just one everyday piano player to mentor
01:57and to feature in a one-off very special concert.
02:01But our performers have no idea that they're watching and listening from just there. It's wild,
02:10it's wild, isn't it? This is the piano.
02:31Do you still feel as creepy as I do watching people knowing that they can't see us?
02:35Oh, completely. It's kind of fun. It's so fun, which makes it even creepier.
02:42Hey, finally. Did you miss me? Our fearless leader. Isn't this exciting? Totally.
02:48Can I ask for our concert? We've got the kind of performer that DJ is. Does that mean you look for
02:54something different now? We could never have predicted DJ. DJ was incredible. This is true.
03:01DJ has a combination of a personal story that's very compelling and a musicianship that is unique
03:11to him. He's unmatchable. So the chances of finding somebody exactly like him are zero.
03:17Mm. What we're looking for in the final concert is somebody that moves us in some way that's
03:22inexplicable. So I think we're going to find somebody here that's unique and I'm excited to see who that's
03:29going to be. All right. Now remember, don't wear the high-vis, don't use this. Can I trust you?
03:34All good. Can't trust me. See you throughout the day, bunch of pianists.
03:38She said it.
03:50I just enjoy playing the piano and then practicing lots at home. I'm ready.
03:59Okay, so we have two people approaching. Yeah. I'm not sure which one is going to be playing. I'm
04:06guessing it's the young man. The bow tie generally gives it away, I think, for performers.
04:10Oh, I see the piano there. Yeah. He looks so cute. Hi.
04:17Well, hi. I'm Amanda. Jean. Hello, Jean. Come on up with me.
04:22Have a seat. You look fantastic. Thank you. There's Mum. Have you got other family here too today?
04:28My grandpa and grandma are also here in the audience. They must be very proud of you. Yeah.
04:34So cute. So, how long have you been playing? I started playing piano when I was around four and
04:40a half years old. Were you good straight away? No. What's school life like? It's here. I'm different.
04:49Are you? In what way? Yeah. The people in my class, they're mostly athletic. Yeah. And is that okay?
04:55I'm fine with that. Yeah. I enjoy it. I can relate. Yeah. Same here. What was the worst?
05:00There's always the musical kid. I could not catch a ball to save my life. Me either.
05:04And how do you feel when you play the piano? I feel proud that I'm a musician and I can keep learning the piano.
05:09Yeah. Makes you feel good about yourself. Yep. Love this kid. What are you going to play for us today?
05:15I'm going to play Fly Out the Bumblebee. Oh, wow. I love it. I really like this kid. I'm pulling for him.
05:23And he's so adorable. He's so adorable. Can't even stand it. Here we go.
05:39He's so great. The speed of his fingers. They're all even and the control. Look at his hands.
05:52This kid is special. This is very special.
05:54The facility and the dynamic changes.
06:05Where'd the B go? Hold on a minute. What's happening?
06:09Wait, what's happening right now? Wait. Oh.
06:13What? What is seriously what is happening right now? Are you kidding?
06:18What is going to happen now? Are you playing queen?
06:28What is going to happen now?
06:31What is going to happen now?
06:31That's better.
06:31What will happen now?
06:33What do you see?
06:33What do you see?
06:38Let's go ahead here.
06:38Honey, how's it going?
06:39What do you see?
06:41Gotta be cool, baby.
07:02Relax.
07:05Okay.
07:06He's feeling my moves now, man.
07:08Come on.
07:08He's amazing.
07:09I'm obsessed with this kid.
07:12I am obsessed with this kid.
07:14I got it.
07:19I got to look out the window.
07:20Yeah.
07:20I just got to look out the window.
07:27Here comes your big finish.
07:28Go ahead, little brother.
07:40Yeah.
07:42Oh, wow.
07:44You must be very proud.
07:45You must be very proud.
07:46Oh, so proud.
07:47That was what I call Flight of the Bumble Queen.
07:52Nice.
07:53Very nice.
07:54I like the punnage.
07:56Thank you so much.
07:57Thank you so much, Amanda.
08:00Bye-bye.
08:01Bye-bye.
08:02Wonderful.
08:03See you soon.
08:03See you.
08:04See you.
08:04What a surprise.
08:09He's gone.
08:09He's gone now.
08:10He's like, I'm off to the next station.
08:14We'd be an interesting first-dimensional for the concert because he's got it all.
08:19Oh, that's awesome, Jane.
08:21They're so good.
08:22Even from bottom.
08:24Yeah, the crowd were wild.
08:26I want that jacket, by the way.
08:28I mean, it won't fit me.
08:29I'm going to fight you for it.
08:30I'm going to squeeze in there, though.
08:39When did that happen?
08:40When did the temperature just drop?
08:44Okay, here we go.
08:51Hi.
08:52Hello.
08:53Bachelor number four.
08:54Yeah, lucky me.
08:55My name is Tom.
08:56I'm 28 years old, and I'm from Nariwaran in Melbourne.
08:59Thomas, what's your last name?
09:00Randall.
09:01I know you.
09:01You're a race car driver.
09:02I am, yes.
09:03Wow.
09:04Yeah.
09:05He's a what?
09:05He's a race car driver.
09:07What?
09:07For real?
09:08Yeah.
09:08So I race in the Supercars Championship.
09:10Quite a cool job.
09:11Quite unique.
09:12I love it.
09:15The piano helps me de-stress after an intense weekend.
09:20Mental capacity you need over a race weekend is huge, so to get back home and you go from
09:25all that adrenaline to zero, the piano's a great way to just, yeah, wind down.
09:31And not only for the racing side of things, just everyday stresses as well.
09:35So I really enjoy playing the piano.
09:38I love that.
09:39This is how he switches off.
09:40That's cool.
09:41That's very, very cool.
09:42That's awesome.
09:43I've done the Bathurst 1000 a few times and doing it again this year, so, yeah, I'm gearing
09:49up for that and I thought this was the best prep.
09:52How can this be prep for that?
09:55So some of the similarities between piano and racing, well, you wouldn't think there are
09:58many, but timing's really important.
10:01I think hand-eye coordination's a big one as well.
10:04And then when you're in the car, it's just you and the car and that's kind of similar
10:07with the piano, it's just you and the piano, and it's very rewarding when you nail a song
10:13or nail a lap.
10:15And the other cool similarity is that there's three pedals.
10:18So don't make it go faster.
10:20Well, I'll be using the accelerator a fair bit, I reckon, in this piece.
10:23I wonder how he plays the pedals if he treats it like a clutch and an accelerator, like
10:27Well, I can't wait to hear what you've got for us.
10:32Thank you very much.
10:32Over to you.
10:33Me playing the piano is normally a private thing.
10:35I play at home, so, yeah, the nerves are up there.
10:38I feel like I'm on the starting grid at Bathurst, nice and nervous.
10:42Thomas is a supercar driver, just happens to also play the piano.
10:46What a package.
10:47If he's better than me on the piano, I'm quitting today.
10:50Oh, yeah.
10:51I don't want to ever play music again, ever.
10:58Oh, he's doing clocks.
11:03He's good.
11:18I love the way that he plays piano.
11:21He plays with his whole body.
11:24Like, he uses the bigger joints, and it gets that power.
11:27He's on.
11:33He's got the phrasing, he's got the rhythm.
11:36This is fabulous.
11:41I love it when you see people, like, they're not supposed to have hidden talents, and it's
11:46this.
11:46This isn't a hidden talent.
11:48He's in the middle of a train station playing Coldplay.
11:52I guess I'm quitting music.
11:55Oh, you're totally just jealous.
11:57Yes, of course.
12:00A little bit of a crush?
12:01Yeah.
12:02Oh, wow.
12:19Wow.
12:23There you go, Chris.
12:25Can we spray champagne all over you?
12:26Yeah, that's it.
12:27Where's the podium?
12:28Far out.
12:29That was fantastic.
12:31I was just stunned by your level of expertise.
12:33I don't mean to demean your prowess, but I thought this might be a second string to your bow.
12:37This is an equal string to your bow.
12:40I feel a bit less nervous now.
12:43Is this how you feel at the end of a race?
12:44Buggered, yeah, kind of.
12:46I sort of just got in the moment, and yeah, kind of like being on the lap.
12:50Well, we loved it.
12:51It was amazing.
12:52Thank you very much.
12:52Thank you very much.
12:53Appreciate that.
12:54Thomas is leaving the building.
12:55Thank you, Thomas.
12:56He's on.
12:57Looking for a Lycra girl.
12:58Yeah, a selfie.
13:01Oh, yeah, of course.
13:03He's so charming, and he's such a talented athlete.
13:06He's so eloquent, plus the ability, plus the technique.
13:10Sending the hearts a flutter.
13:12He's definitely in the running for the final concert.
13:15For sure.
13:16Thomas knows how to perform under extreme conditions, much like the first Australian-made pianos.
13:27In 1893, Beale & Co. began manufacturing pianos to specifically withstand our harsh climate,
13:34just like this little beauty out here in the Melbourne weather.
13:39Shirley, have you played a public piano before?
13:45Never in my entire life, and never in Melbourne.
13:49I've never been to Melbourne.
13:51Wow.
13:51Never.
13:52Normally, I would be at home looking after my family.
13:56And what role does music play in your life, day to day?
14:00I owe a lot to the piano for my relationship with my son, Liam.
14:06That is the thing that connects us with him.
14:12Liam is my youngest son.
14:14He is 22.
14:16He has autism spectrum disorder, and he is nonverbal.
14:22Because he is nonverbal, there is communication, challenges, so we use music.
14:29Music is a language for Liam.
14:32That is his gateway to our world.
14:35Have you chosen a song that reflects all of that today?
14:38Yes, I have.
14:39I've chosen I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Mis.
14:43It's definitely Liam's favourite song.
14:47He knows that I Dreamed a Dream starts in F major,
14:52so he will come along and play the F note on the piano, this one here.
14:59And that's his way of saying,
15:01I would like you to play I Dreamed a Dream for me now.
15:06It's a huge role that music is playing, isn't it?
15:08Oh, it's a massive role.
15:10Massive.
15:11I know that when he communicates that way,
15:14that is his way of saying to me,
15:17Mum, I love you, and I'm feeling happy that you're here with me today.
15:21You've made me very emotional.
15:22We're all here for you, and we'd love to hear your song.
15:25Oh, thank you.
15:26I'll go and get a tissue, I'll be over here.
15:28Okay, thanks.
15:30I love these relationships with music.
15:33You wonder what her life would be like,
15:35and what her relationship would be like if she didn't play.
15:38Yeah.
15:41The words, I Dreamed a Dream,
15:44have a lot of meaning to me.
15:51When you first have children,
15:53in your mind you dream,
15:55things are going to go a certain way.
15:58But sometimes they don't.
15:59I Dreamed a Dream in time gone by.
16:06Praise, can I hold on to you?
16:08When hope was high and life worth living.
16:14There's a beautiful sense of gravitas and sensitivity to her playing.
16:39When Liam was diagnosed,
16:46it was very upsetting.
16:48It took a long time to actually process it and accept it.
16:53When you're faced with a challenge of having a child with additional needs,
16:58you feel that sense of loss
17:00that maybe they're not going to have the life that you thought they would.
17:04As they tell your dream
17:07to share...
17:09But I think as a mum,
17:10you go,
17:11okay, we've got a problem.
17:13Now what can I do to find a method for him
17:17to communicate with us?
17:19What a blessing
17:21to have a mum
17:23that was blessed with a musical gift.
17:25I had a dream
17:27my life would be...
17:30It's been a really challenging life,
17:33but family to me
17:35is everything.
17:37And playing the piano
17:38and that connection
17:39that gives me to Liam
17:41is incredibly special.
17:42Now life has killed the dream
17:49I dreamed
17:53This is what's so great about this.
18:08She is not
18:09a concert pianist.
18:13She's a mum
18:14who has
18:14a story.
18:16You're a marvel,
18:17well done.
18:18And she was able to tell that story today.
18:24Thank you so much.
18:25And I feel so lucky
18:27that we got a chance
18:28to witness that.
18:30Were you worried
18:31that your makeup would run?
18:32I wasn't.
18:33Oprah told me to cry out.
18:35Oprah told you to cry out?
18:37That's one thing
18:38I learned from Oprah.
18:39Oh, wish I'd figured that out.
18:41Cry up, says Oprah.
18:43That's what I need to do.
18:52Well, I'm Jackie.
18:54Hey!
18:55Morning, drag.
18:56Performing for me
18:57is when I come into focus.
18:59You know, when I'm at home,
19:00I'm actually quite introverted.
19:02But I just love performing
19:05and it's really
19:05what I'm going to do.
19:07If I didn't find the piano
19:08when I was 14,
19:10I was thinking
19:10of being an accountant.
19:12How stupid is that?
19:15Thank God for the piano.
19:20Oh!
19:20Hello.
19:26Wow.
19:27Yes.
19:29Fabulous.
19:30I'm hoping
19:30that that person
19:32is coming here.
19:33I really am.
19:34Please.
19:34Oh, please.
19:35Please be the one.
19:37Oh, I hope you're looking for me.
19:38Hi. Yes.
19:39Hello.
19:40Hello.
19:40Oh, gorgeous.
19:42Jackie.
19:43Jackie?
19:43Yeah, Jackie Randa.
19:45Jackie Randa!
19:46Jackie Randa!
19:49Does that mean something,
19:50Jackie Randa?
19:51Jackie Randa are those trees
19:52and it's kind of
19:53the shade of her hair
19:54that you see flowering.
19:56I don't know if you've been
19:56in Australia during that time.
19:57Yes, I have.
19:59They're stunning.
19:59They're amazing.
20:00They're beautiful.
20:01Tell me about Jackie Randa.
20:02Well, I'm from a little town
20:05in a regional Queensland
20:06called Tambo.
20:07The things about Tambo
20:08that you should know.
20:09Please.
20:09We have the Tambo chicken races
20:11and we have a pretty cool dump.
20:14That's put Tambo on the map.
20:15It has.
20:17And so I got my big break
20:18singing at the chicken races.
20:20I won't make a cop joke,
20:21but I won't.
20:23Well, one of us has to.
20:24One of us has to.
20:27Love it.
20:28All right, now.
20:29What are you going
20:30to perform today?
20:31I'm going to...
20:31I'm seeing a microphone.
20:32Is there singing involved?
20:33There is singing involved, yes.
20:35I'm going to sing and play
20:36Simply the Best by Tina Turner.
20:38Oh, of course you are.
20:39Yeah.
20:40How brilliant.
20:41Yes.
20:43Good morning, everyone.
20:44How are you doing?
20:44Are you good?
20:46Will you guys sing along with me?
20:48Yes.
20:49All right, here we go.
20:54I'll call you, I need you.
20:56My heart is on fire.
20:59Oh.
21:03You come to me, come to me
21:06wild and wild.
21:11Oh, it can't be wrong.
21:15Take my heart and make it strong.
21:17All right, let's sing it together.
21:18Here we go.
21:18We got a performer.
21:19Yes.
21:20I'm simply the best.
21:21Jackie is rocking it.
21:24You're better than all the rest.
21:27Better than what?
21:28She's forcing people to sing along.
21:30Anyone.
21:33Anyone I've ever met.
21:35All right, dramatic bridge.
21:37Here we go.
21:38It's time you leave me,
21:40I start losing control.
21:42Amanda is feeling this.
21:44She is all up in her feels right now.
21:47I can feel you even when I'm alone.
21:50Yeah, baby.
21:51Oh, baby.
21:53Don't let go.
21:55Modulation, baby.
21:56Bring it up.
21:57Don't let go.
21:57I'm going to try it.
22:01Come on, guitar solo.
22:03Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee.
22:08Cause you're the best.
22:20Thank you very much.
22:22Yes, Jackie.
22:25Take a bow.
22:27I love it so much.
22:29It's just the best.
22:31Simply the best.
22:32Simply the best.
22:33So much hair.
22:36Someone's calling me.
22:37It might be one of my children,
22:38so I just have to make sure.
22:41Hey, baby, I'm on set.
22:42You need me?
22:43Everything cool?
22:45Okay, I love you.
22:46Bye.
22:48Sorry, wrong number.
22:52Back at the public piano,
22:54our experts are working hard
22:56to find the best fit
22:57for their upcoming concert.
23:00Having those repeated notes,
23:01that can be sometimes tricky.
23:03It's more of a percussive technique,
23:05using the fingers almost as mallets.
23:08Another difficult part
23:10is getting those leaps.
23:11I think you can even take more space.
23:15Boom, bang, boom, bang, you know what I mean?
23:24She plays her right hand like an accordion player.
23:27There's a lightness to her playing,
23:30because the accordion action is so light.
23:33And I would like to give her a couple of pointers
23:35on maybe how you can treat them
23:39as two separate instruments
23:41and get the most out of each.
23:44My name is Jonathan.
24:04So I travel a lot for work,
24:05and it takes me all across the world.
24:07The first thing I do,
24:11check into my hotel,
24:12search for the nearest public piano,
24:13and head straight there.
24:21Those public pianos are usually left unplayed,
24:23so I love to show people something
24:25that they haven't really experienced before.
24:27Very poetic, very cinematic,
24:40and he's very comfortable in this world.
24:44Yeah, he's playing it well.
24:51He's really managed to stop all of this traffic
24:53in one of Australia's biggest train stations.
24:57People are feeling it.
25:00People are definitely feeling it.
25:05What is it?
25:20I love that the purpose of what we're doing
25:23is to have people celebrate the piano.
25:27It's not about competition or who's better.
25:30Well said.
25:30It's simply about the music and how people feel.
25:41Oh, beautifully done.
25:44Jonathan, that was extraordinary.
25:47What a beautiful song.
25:47I love it, love it, love it.
25:49Look at your haircut from the back.
25:50I had that in the 80s.
25:52Oh, really?
25:52It's much better on you than on me.
25:53Oh, thank you so much.
25:54Split ends have cooled and want your hair back.
25:56It looks great.
25:57And always remember to touch on your mic
26:00at the start of your journey.
26:04As we continue to celebrate
26:05what these wonderful 88 keys can do,
26:09here's one for the diary.
26:10On the 88th day of each year,
26:13it's World Piano Day.
26:15Preparing for a celebration of her own
26:17is recently engaged Grace from Geelong.
26:20Is your fiancé here?
26:21Yeah, this is under there.
26:22Is that handsome man in a suit, your fiancé?
26:24Yeah.
26:25Oh, he's a handsome guy.
26:27He looks so proud.
26:29He is so proud.
26:31He gave me a ring.
26:32Oh, wow.
26:33That is a beautiful ring.
26:35He did really well, yeah.
26:36He did very well.
26:38So tell me a bit about your music.
26:40Why the piano?
26:42I would struggle a lot if I didn't have the piano.
26:44If I'm struggling,
26:45I can just sit at the piano and sing.
26:47And have there been times in your life
26:49where you've needed that music,
26:50where you have been struggling?
26:52Yeah.
26:52The main time was when I struggled with an eating disorder
26:57for quite a few years.
26:59I didn't know if I'd live together,
27:02so I didn't know if I was going to be here.
27:05How do you turn that around?
27:07It was very hard.
27:10In recovery, they said,
27:11focus on something that you love to distract yourself.
27:14And what was that?
27:15It was music.
27:16It was some writing,
27:17and that's when I wrote the song.
27:19It really helped me get through.
27:20The song that you're playing today?
27:23Yeah.
27:24And what's this song about?
27:25It was kind of a message to my younger self
27:27that it would be okay once I got to the other side
27:30to just accept how you look
27:32and not have to be perfect all the time.
27:34You're going to make me cry.
27:36It's incredible.
27:37She found the strength to come and share today.
27:41But also,
27:42it's amazing to have someone
27:44talk about it from the other side.
27:46Maybe then
27:59Oh, and I've seen it all
28:03and done it all then
28:05Then maybe I
28:09I wouldn't have to fall
28:11I wouldn't have to fall so high
28:13Or maybe
28:15I'm pretty enough
28:18I'm pretty enough for them
28:20All of my fears fill my mind
28:26Telling me I shouldn't try
28:30And I'm starving myself
28:35Just to please
28:37Someone else
28:39Tell me why
28:41I'll never know
28:43If I'll never know for them
28:45When I was in the eating disorder
28:48it became an obsession
28:49It just controlled my life
28:51A good day for me
28:53was when I didn't eat all day
28:54It didn't matter what else I achieved in the day
28:57If I just did that
28:58I was happy
28:59But mentally
29:00The only thing I could think about was food
29:02And they cry
29:04Oh
29:05Songwriting and make piano
29:08was the main thing to help me recover
29:11Because it was just something
29:12that I could put all my energy and time into
29:14And it really gave me like
29:16an outlet for all my emotions and feelings
29:18I haven't seen anyone yet
29:24that has been so emotionally vulnerable
29:28and personal
29:30Yeah
29:31It's really her and the piano
29:33talking to each other
29:35and helping each other
29:36To get us to her story
29:39in a way that would be impossible
29:40to just use words
29:42And all you see is flaws
29:44And all you see is failures
29:48But if you just look off through your tears
29:54You'll see what I see too
29:56When I was in the eating disorder
29:59I would never talk about it
30:00But now I want to talk about this
30:03because I know I'm not the only one
30:04going through this
30:05and I want to be able to help people
30:07It's okay to let go
30:09and just be yourself
30:11You know, you don't have to be perfect
30:12It's okay to say to someone
30:15I'm not okay
30:16And maybe I
30:20I wouldn't have to fall
30:25I wouldn't have to fall so high
30:28That was spectacular
30:44How do you feel?
30:46That I love the scum
30:48I've been so nervous
30:50Oh, you didn't sound nervous
30:52Thank you
30:52And I hope people get a lot from your song
30:54Me too, I really do
30:56I'm so proud
30:58Have you asked me if that was something
31:00I would have done two years ago
31:01I would have said absolutely not
31:02Thank you, great
31:03I think all the nerves were worth it
31:07I think what we've always been looking for
31:14is someone to express themselves
31:17through music
31:19We have to pick someone
31:22for the final concert
31:24and we don't want to have
31:26five people doing the same thing
31:28and we haven't seen that
31:30It's nothing like that
31:31We haven't seen that
31:32That was good
31:34Thank you
31:35I couldn't stop smiling
31:36Oh, how adorable
31:45What's your baby's name?
31:47Enya
31:47Enya
31:48Do you want to go and perform some Enya?
31:50Yeah
31:51Orinoco Flo
31:52Yes
31:53This is a beautiful looking couple
32:01Oh, there's your stage
32:03So exciting
32:05Yeah
32:06Hello
32:08Hello
32:08How are you going?
32:09I'm Amanda, hello
32:10I'm Jack
32:10Hello Jack
32:11Nice to meet you
32:11Hi, Sophie
32:12Sophie, do I need to boil any sheets?
32:14Are we in the imminent drop zone?
32:16No, no
32:16I'm still, yeah
32:18A while off
32:19Okay, three months
32:20And what do you do during the day?
32:22I'm a primary school teacher
32:23Yeah, we're both primary school teachers
32:25Is that where you met?
32:26That is where we met
32:27Yeah, the same
32:28Have the classrooms next door to each other
32:29Yeah
32:29Oh
32:29I mean, that must have been the best gossip
32:31in the whole school
32:32when the kids caught on to that
32:33It was, yeah
32:33It was talk of the town
32:34That I used to be
32:35And is this your first baby?
32:37It is
32:38First baby, yeah
32:38Yeah, very exciting
32:40Do you ever play for the bum?
32:42I do, yeah
32:43Yeah, often around home
32:45Sophie will sit down next to me
32:47and just rub the belly
32:48and apparently
32:49Your belly?
32:50Similar sort of pregnancy bellies
32:53I wasn't saying that
32:53Hello
33:01Hello
33:02I love when he plays for the bump
33:04It just makes me feel relaxed
33:07I could just watch him play all day
33:08Sounds nice
33:12For the baby moving
33:15Really?
33:16Oh
33:18Yeah, it's a very special connection, I guess
33:21And it makes me, yeah
33:23I want to keep playing to the bump
33:25Hopefully it's not kicking saying
33:27Shush, Dad
33:29When the night has come
33:48And the land is dark
33:53And the moon
33:55Is the only
33:58Light
34:00What a beautiful vision
34:04No, I won't
34:06It's got soul
34:07Interesting, right?
34:10To play it out of time like this
34:11I won't
34:12The rhythm of that song
34:14Just as long
34:17Yeah
34:18Is such an important part
34:20And he took it out
34:21And decided to focus on the sentiment of the lyrics, right?
34:24And darling, darling
34:28Stand by me
34:32It does really come through with the emotion
34:35Stand by me
34:38Oh, won't you stay
34:40Stand by me
34:44The baby is moving
34:46Oh, really?
34:46Stand by me
34:48Yeah, yeah
34:48So cute
34:51I feel great about the future
34:54I've got the best guy in the world
34:57Going into parenthood
34:59Yeah, I can't wait
35:01Stand by me
35:06I'm hoping that the baby feels love
35:09Just listening to the piano
35:10And listening to my voice
35:11Stand by me
35:12I feel like that's what parenting is about
35:15Being there and standing by the ones you love
35:17Oh, Jack
35:20What a perfect song for this time in their lives
35:27Come on down
35:28Have you met Soph?
35:29Thank you
35:29Well done
35:31Oh, no
35:31Okay, good on you
35:32She's already pregnant
35:34Leave it alone
35:35Join me
35:35Well, congratulations
35:37That was beautiful
35:38Thank you
35:38And all the love in the world
35:40For your upcoming event
35:41Thank you
35:41Really appreciate it
35:42Thanks very much
35:42Thank you
35:43Thank you
35:43Thank you
35:44Is that nice?
35:47Yeah
35:48Sound good?
35:48Amazing
35:49I was just so emotional
35:50Amanda Keller's lovely
35:53I feel like we're besties now
35:55Oh, yeah?
36:00Oh
36:00Oh
36:01Look away
36:03You didn't see this
36:04While the commuters at Southern Cross Station
36:10Have been loving our celebration of the piano today
36:13The performers actually have no idea
36:15That our stealthy pair of experts
36:17Are also watching on from upstairs
36:20In this kind of situation
36:22I would be a bit nervous
36:24You know, it's a public space
36:26But for all of these people
36:28They're just doing what they love to do
36:30Usually in the beauty of their own home
36:32Can I try to imitate your accent?
36:34In the beauty of their own home
36:37Is that even close?
36:39In the beauty of their own
36:41Own
36:42Own
36:42Own
36:43Own
36:44Own
36:44Own
36:45all right who do we have next
36:53is it this guy he's got the one hand in the pocket that's a vibe
37:00you do the two hands in the pocket yeah two hands or no hands but the one hand that is a vibe
37:06i'm doing that tomorrow well hello come on up i'm amanda bradley hi bradley how are you
37:13very good sit down i'm not sure if i would have picked him as a pianist i definitely wouldn't
37:17have what's the bradley story my life's consisted of two things one's farming and the other one
37:23piano tuning oh okay oh you choose pianos where do you live well i live in a little place called
37:30timor west which is right in central victoria do you know where that is oh yeah i was just there
37:35a couple of weeks ago that's canola season so it's like these masses of bright yellow in the fields
37:41sit can you sit down i had to get those birds didn't you
37:53you're coming too are you
37:56i'm a fifth generation farmer mainly sheep and cereal grains is what we do
38:03this farm has been around in my family since 1860 there's a serenity to this place and i can't
38:18picture any other life it's a long-standing connection that we have the best wool around
38:26the world that's a boy many piano manufacturers that want the best wool obviously so the majority
38:33of their material that they get comes from australia and new zealand that merino wool can actually be used
38:40for not just the hitting mechanism which is the hammers but also the felts uh which create the
38:47ongoings and the voice of the actual piano itself wow i love it the voice of the piano it is a voice is
38:53the australian sheep i should have known that yeah i just didn't put two and two together i'm so
38:58glad this guy's on the show what are you going to play today do you think it'll be something australian
39:04i hope so i'm playing today at home amongst the gum trees which we all kind of would know i think yes
39:10that italian classic well i think we've got a ready audience for you have we just would you like us to
39:17sing along well you might as well that'd be good good luck that's like a real australian classic
39:23this is a real australian classic please just check your hand nice to meet you thank you my
39:28mom loves you oh that's nice i think you're all right too that's that's the best accolade i've ever heard
39:38hopefully you know this one
39:41i've been around the world a couple of times or maybe more
39:44i've seen the sights i've had delights in every foreign shore but men we made so last me which
39:50place that i adore i tell them right away we tell them
39:56i love hearing this
40:10you can see me in the kitchen
40:12what is what's happening
40:25so like there's literally a fire alarm going off and people are more interested in singing about the
40:30gum trees
40:33rocking chair please exit the building the building is on fire nobody seems to be concerned
40:40so i just have a very simple question
41:06should should we be concerned like we're in a very small room like on the second floor
41:22well the fire brigade has been all is well on the show let's see who we've got next
41:42today melbourne is proving that our upright piano can stand the test of time
42:05we've heard music from the 1800s to the 1980s
42:22and we've had everything from originals
42:24and we've had everything from originals
42:31to the outright iconic
42:41so
42:47we've had everything from being
42:49so
42:54Wow, Alvin, how are you feeling?
43:01Yeah, amazing.
43:02That was crazy, though.
43:03Yeah, what did you get?
43:04Thank you so much.
43:05Thank you, thank you.
43:06Did you recognise the song?
43:07Yeah, it was Taylor Swift.
43:07Yeah, yeah, yeah.
43:08Thanks, brother.
43:09Thank you so much.
43:09Thanks for listening.
43:10It's amazing.
43:11Thank you so much, man.
43:12Aw.
43:12Thank you so much.
43:13Thanks for listening.
43:14Yeah, it was so great.
43:15Aw, thank you so much.
43:17Thank you so much.
43:18I feel like a proud parent.
43:19Amazing.
43:20Thank you so much.
43:20Thank you so much.
43:21Thanks, Alvin.
43:22Oh, that's not great.
43:28Ooh.
43:30Could do with a little pair of gloves.
43:31There is a lady here beside us, just in a T-shirt.
43:36My name's Heather, and I'm here with my son, William.
43:41True.
43:41True.
43:42Yeah.
43:42Yes.
43:44I'm his adopted mum.
43:47William came into our lives when he was eight years old.
43:50His biological parents, unfortunately, passed away, so he ended up growing up for his early
43:57years in an orphanage.
43:58Now, we're heading towards the piano, and Amanda Keller, she's wearing a bright suit.
44:04Oh.
44:04She looks really lovely.
44:07William was born with a pretty rare form of cancer, and he had both of his eyes removed
44:13before he was two years old.
44:15Well, hi.
44:16Hello.
44:17Hello.
44:17I'm Amanda.
44:18Hi, Amanda.
44:19Hello.
44:20On top of him being blind, he has intellectual impairment.
44:26He's had more challenges than most people would have in a whole lifetime.
44:30But as soon as he is on an instrument, particularly on the piano, he is just flying.
44:38It's like he's got his wings.
44:42How long have you been playing the piano?
44:44I have been playing the piano for around 14 years now.
44:49And believe it or not, I actually started on the toy piano.
44:53Yeah.
44:54So, William, what are you going to play for us today?
44:56So, today I'm going to play Candle in the Wind.
44:59And why this song?
45:01Because it's very beautiful and very emotional.
45:06Yeah.
45:08Oh.
45:09Gets you in the feels.
45:11Yes.
45:11And does Mum like that one too?
45:13Yes.
45:14It actually makes her tear up a bit.
45:16Shall we try and get that happening?
45:19Oh, yes.
45:23Heather, how do you feel when you hear William play?
45:26Oh, I love it.
45:27It's music for my soul.
45:29It's like my chicken soup.
45:31Is it?
45:32Yes, it is.
45:33Is it nice knowing that you're making Mum feel so good when you're playing?
45:36Yeah, because I like to make people happy.
45:41I love it.
45:41I love this guy.
45:42Anyone who can sit down at a piano and play something for people and feel better as a result
45:51of it makes me happy, period.
45:53I want to dedicate this song to my mother.
46:17This is beautiful.
46:24I don't have emotions coming out in words.
46:29I actually have emotions coming out in music.
46:31How do you feel when you watch him?
46:48I'm so proud.
46:49Oh, I bet you are.
46:51I bet you are.
46:53Gosh, I'm prouder.
46:55I don't even know him.
46:55My husband, I used to cry every night from the worry and the stress, and he'd say to
47:00me, we'll just finish today, and then we'll do tomorrow.
47:04And that's how we got to here.
47:11I liked his arrangement because it meant something to him.
47:15I think he loved that performance, and I loved it too.
47:18Yes, sir, William.
47:29Hello, William.
47:33That was extraordinary.
47:36How do you feel?
47:38Good.
47:39That was special.
47:41Very pure and simple and true.
47:44That's why I'm here today.
47:46I'm Heather Cooper, and I come from Bielabar, which is 200 kilometres away.
48:05I've never come to Melbourne.
48:07I'm terrified to be here.
48:09I'm just so used to being in the country, along with my sheep and everyone else.
48:16Hello.
48:18I'm Amanda.
48:20Hello, what's your name?
48:21Hi, Heather.
48:22Come on up.
48:23They say red and green should never be seen, but let's break that rule.
48:26Oh.
48:28I'm in love with this woman.
48:31You recently turned 80?
48:32Yes.
48:33And do you keep yourself active?
48:34Oh, yes.
48:35I think it's very important.
48:37I've got dementia.
48:38Well, I saw your badge, and I was going to ask you about that.
48:40Tell me what that means.
48:41Well, in 2019, I had a brain scan, and the psychiatrist sat there with her blue folder.
48:49I can see it to this day.
48:51And very boldly, she said, you've got Alzheimer's disease.
48:55I was knocked down badly for about six months.
48:59I thought, I can't do anything anymore.
49:01But that's not the way to be, is it?
49:03So, Dementia Australia suggests learning a language will be helpful to dementia.
49:10But, of course, the sheep only go, bah, and they're not the least bit interested in it.
49:15They hate French.
49:19And so that's why the language of music and the muscle memory of playing it is very important.
49:26So it makes you use certain pathways?
49:28Yes.
49:28Oh, my gosh.
49:30She's 80 years old and learning music.
49:35Amazing.
49:36What are you going to play for us today?
49:37This is a song to look at the simple, lovely things of life, as I do with my dementia, the voice of encouragement.
49:46You are an inspiration, Heather.
49:49Has she stopped smiling once?
49:52Are you freezing?
49:53Can we help you with that?
49:54No, I'm not too bad.
49:54Oh, good on you.
49:55I don't care how good she is.
49:58None of that matters.
49:59I'm so invested in her.
50:03She's just a ray of sunshine.
50:05Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
50:10Bright copper kettles and warm wool and mittens.
50:15Brown paper packages tied up with strings.
50:20These are a few of my favorite things.
50:24This might be my sentimental favorite.
50:26Oh, for sure.
50:27Of the whole thing so far.
50:28When the dog bites, when the bee stings.
50:33But also, harmonically, not the easiest piece.
50:36It's really tricky.
50:37It's got some interesting stuff going on.
50:40I simply remember my favorite thing.
50:45And then I don't feel so I'll wear.
50:51Heather.
50:52Look at that smile.
50:55I'm not stoked.
50:59I love Heather.
51:09As our day at Southern Cross Station draws to a close,
51:12I've asked all our pianists to gather together.
51:18Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.
51:22Hello.
51:22They have no idea that our experts have been watching on and are about to invite one of
51:28them to perform at our very special concert.
51:31It's actually my first time I've been to a train station.
51:33Really?
51:34Yeah.
51:35Wait, this is the first time you've been to a train station?
51:37Yeah.
51:37No way.
51:38What do you think?
51:39It's very big.
51:40Let's get down to it.
51:43I hate this part.
51:44I know, I know.
51:45What are your thoughts, your hopes, your dreams for our concert?
51:50I really loved Grace.
51:53She was one of the more powerful performers.
51:56And I'm starving myself.
52:00Her song.
52:01Beautiful.
52:02It was so intimate and it was so beautiful in its pain and the hope and what she went through
52:09and the bravery to share that.
52:14Oh, Jing.
52:15What a little superstar.
52:17What a pocket rocket.
52:19Jing is like a show opener or closer.
52:24He's that good.
52:25He's kind of got the whole package.
52:31It's simply the best.
52:33One of the highlights of my day, Jackie Randa.
52:35That was fantastic.
52:40She brought the crowd in immediately.
52:44Can we talk about Thomas?
52:45How could you not love Thomas?
52:47I'll tell you how I can not love Thomas.
52:49First of all, he's super handsome.
52:51He drives a race car.
52:52Even if he sucked at the piano, which he didn't.
52:56Which he didn't.
52:57No, it's like, come on, man.
52:58Like, that's not fair.
53:01Well, this is where I leave you.
53:03Where are you going?
53:04I'm just over there.
53:05You can see from here, there's a shop that's kind of under renovation.
53:09I'm going to tell them that we've got a surprise.
53:11And then you two goobers are going to jump out and give them the exciting news.
53:15Is goober a compliment in Australia?
53:16Take it as you like it.
53:17Okay.
53:19I like it.
53:20Oh, good.
53:24Hello.
53:25Hello.
53:25A huge thank you to all of you for your incredible performances today, but also for sharing your
53:30stories.
53:31Thank you for sharing your music.
53:34Thank you for sharing this train station with us.
53:36And for your connection to the piano.
53:39We've loved everything you've done and thank you very much.
53:43I've been keeping a little secret from you.
53:45The commuters have been watching and loving all your performances.
53:47The pigeons have been loving what you've been doing.
53:50But so, too, have two other people who also have a very special connection to the piano.
53:57One is an Emmy winner, a Grammy winner, a global music superstar.
54:04The other is one of Australia's greatest classical pianists.
54:07She has travelled the world playing with orchestras in every country you can possibly imagine.
54:12I'd like to introduce you to Andrea Lamb and Harry Connick, Jr.
54:24Hey, everybody.
54:29Congratulations, Jane.
54:30So proud of you.
54:32All of the pianists did so well.
54:34Congratulations, William and Heather.
54:36It was just beautiful to hear you play.
54:39They had their space and they made people stop in their day and have a moment with music.
54:44It's really nice to see you all in person.
54:47Congrats, Grace.
54:48So amazing.
54:49I'm so excited to meet you, too.
54:51Oh, that's so nice.
54:52Just fabulous.
54:53And this is amazing.
54:55Man.
54:55How are you?
54:56You good?
54:56Man, I'm great.
54:57That was so cool, man.
54:58Like, I look forward to seeing you race one day.
55:00Yeah.
55:00I did not know what to expect for this train station.
55:04It's so big.
55:05And we got that kind of range today.
55:08So, you're all so talented that we have a bit of a surprise.
55:14We're having a really big concert.
55:17And we wanted to personally invite all of you to be our guests at...
55:23One of Australia's most beautiful halls, the City Recital Hall.
55:27And one of you, we would like to personally invite to perform at that concert.
55:40Harry and I both know what it's like to pour your heart and soul into music and to share that.
55:45And this person really shared the most raw and beautiful part of themselves.
55:50The pianist that we decided to invite to perform at the concert is Grace.
56:00Grace, congratulations!
56:06I just thought I was going to come and play and go home.
56:10But now I'm going to Sydney.
56:12And we'll see you at the concert.
56:13See you at the concert.
56:14Honestly, it means so much.
56:16Like, music saved my life.
56:18It really did.
56:19So, like, to be here and to be able to play at such a big venue, I can't believe it.
56:25So, I think I'm, like, in the middle of shock.
56:27It's crazy.
56:29Do I get to wear a dress?
56:35So proud of you.
56:36Really, really proud.
56:37You're going to kill it.
56:38Grace, she's going to fit really nicely into the concert as a whole.
56:43Really a diamond in the rough.
56:46It's going to be a blast mentoring her.
56:49Hopefully you know it, right?
56:52Keep me down amongst the young trees.
56:55With lots of plummetries.
56:57That's right.
56:57A jingle to a kangaroo.
56:59A close one at the night.
57:01A red around the front.
57:02And an old rocking chair.
57:06And an old rocking chair.
57:11Next time.
57:20Rubber ducky, you're the one.
57:23The piano pops into Preston Market.
57:25This is fancy.
57:26For a lorry load of incredible pianists, back to back.
57:31It is Bach.
57:32Oh, sorry.
57:33Her articulation is fantastic.
57:35It's perfect.
57:36Wow.
57:36You say it.
57:49Let's go.