It’s been a long time for me to write on the forum, but I have to mention last Thursday, playing piano in a SW London hospital. I play most Thursday mornings on a grand piano in the reception area – usually a combination of Jazz standards from the American Song book.
Last Thursday, was special. Ordinarily I entertain visitors, outpatients and occasionally staff for near two and half hours. All voluntarily. Very often I’ll chat to visitors who are sitting nearby. Very often people come up to me and say things like “It makes a difference.” One gentleman last week said it was like being in a hotel bar! Most often people just say “Thank you” or just smile or nod their heads.
Anyway, 3/4 through my stint, I noticed a smartly dressed man standing near to the piano and dressed in a cream jacket and grey trousers. He was middle aged and was with a boy who for the most part was sitting at a table. Both were strangely quiet. I presumed that they were waiting for an appointment, or indeed waiting for a taxi home. Neither were speaking. The boy had a school blazer on and looked very smart. Occasionally the boy would glance in my direction as I was playing the piano.
Anyway, after a medley of three to four tunes, the man approached me and asked "Can my boy play"? I moved aside straightaway and said "Of course." I usually let children have a tinkle on the high end of the keyboard - the parents are always delighted. Most often kids go "plink plonk" on the keys, just excited at making sounds. I usually watch which notes they may choose to stab at and then accompany them to bring some kind of musicality to it. That doesn’t always work!
I moved from the stool to allow the boy to sit down. The boy kind of drew breath to compose himself and then started to play. That’s when we all had a great surprise. He began to play the most beautiful Chopin piano concerto. His two hands were all over the piano keyboard, up and down the octaves. Sometimes he tilted on the stool in a rocking motion, lifting his arms in a way that made me think his arms were taking in oxygen.
Visitors and outpatients stopped in their tracks, mesmerised by what they saw and what they were listening too. The boy was only 10 years or so. It was as if the hospital just stopped in a kind of time warp. This one piece alone lasted a good 6 – 10 minutes and at the end of it there was spontaneous and loud clapping from everyone in the Reception area. As the boy rose, so I stood up to shake his hand. With hindsight I guess the father and son were waiting for an opportunity to play. Certainly the boy was keen to show off his prowess.
I could have filmed him, but at the time I decided not to. I am not even sure why - perhaps because I wanted that memory pure and undiluted in my head. Not on my phone to be replayed again and again till the magic becomes stale.
And I had a few words with his dad. He was German and the boy's mother was half German and half Russian . The boy was an outpatient at the hospital but I didn't want to inquire any further. Interestingly the father was carrying a vacuum flask of some kind of drink, tea, coffee or fruit juice. But the flask was cream coloured with geometric shapes in all primary colours. In a moment of silly humour I asked the father if the flask contained oxygen, such was the energy the boy had expended at the keyboard. (I’m not sure if his dad appreciated or even understood me.)
In a way I regret not filming that boy, for had I done so I might well have posted it on to HU to brighten everyone’s spirits. But the next best thing is to write and tell you all of this experience. I will never forget the privilege of hearing the boy play. And I was right next to him as he played.
Written by
Greenthorn
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What a wonderful story David. I enjoyed reading that on this Mothers Day. Joy at hearing about the boy playing the piano and me spending the day with family. Also tinged with sadness at the loss of dear cofdrop (Sue) and now CDPO16 (Carole).
I'm so glad Carole that you have enjoyed Mothers Day with the family. You are right to use the word 'joy'. That is exactly what I felt sitting just behind that boy as he played.❤️ and watching so many adult just dumbstruck in admiration and astonishment.
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of cofdrop and CDPO16. All of us are patients of one kind or another. It is a privilege to be joined on this forum in support of each other. As Cas says, we are all walking each other home. ❤️
Thanks Bernadine, I think music in a hospital setting can be very therapeutic and transforming. Outside of Covid time, I will always let kids play on the piano where they show interest. As I said in that post, I would try and convert their "plink plonks" into some kind of pattern, musically. It must also be a blessing to mum and dad to let their child have an 'adventure' on the keyboard, since it would detract from any negative overtones the hospital setting might present.
I think I know where this piano is, I have seen it played once in my times there, in an old part of a well known hospital and it does look like a hotel reception area. Thank you for playing the piano for everyone to enjoy.
Hi 1Cazza, I play at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. The first hospital opened in 1915 but the new hospital opened in 2006. If this is the hospital you are thinking of then it's likely this baby grand piano was first in the old hospital. I know there is a history about it and I shall ask when I'm there next Thursday morning.
David, that was a lovely piece, such a talented young musician. We have a grand piano in the foyer of my local hospital, and in all the years I’ve been coming as an outpatient (I’m an inpatient at the moment) I’ve only heard it played once, a medley of ABBA classics, but the mood lifted in outpatients.
Thanks Helenw7, I mainly play from what is called the American Song Book, standards from the 30's,40's and 50's. (I do break out occasionally with more recent tunes) But my penchant is to find a tune that has a similar 'bridge section' to another favourite, and then merge or interpolate the two. It's fun! I don't suppose your hospital is in London?
Hi Cas, I'm glad you read that one. I think it was you who inspired me to post stuff! I'm ok, rest and play, rest and play. Trying best to manage my time. That boy was phenomenal! But I think his dad liked how I played ha ha.
Good morning Greenthorn. So good to hear from you again and what a wonderful story and experience for you to witness the boy was obviously gifted to be able to play so well at such a young age. I hope your day and week goes well. Brian
I'd never ever have the skill set to play anywhere near that boy's standard. To play all that from memory makes one wonder of the magnitude of the human capabilities. He definitely had a gift and I only wish I had asked for his name.
Thanks Irene, this took everyone by surprise and yes his father stood proud. The boy was certainly keen to play, and patient with it, for they were waiting near 15 minutes for a chance, once I'd stopped for a breather.
Thank u for such a good story and lovely experience, hope we can all enjoy such joy next time we go to a hospital, although I’m happy keeping clear of them! Best regards, Jean x
Diane, thanks. I will try and post more regularly. I too miss a lot of the old tales from loyal members of this site. SorrelHippo being one of them. Katinka I know is busy finalising a book. And there have been many others . Mr Bojangles always had a sense of humour.
This story stacks up against 'Brendan Kavanagh' tinkling the Ivory's at St Pancras railway station on a semi permanent situation.
Anyone who has seen his You Tube videos will have been entertained with 'boogy woogy' and even classical.
Not just that 'Brendan Kavanagh' almost cause a diplomatic incident, stopping a Chinese Lady poking some document at him. Seems they just wanted the Radio Station to themselves.
Seems Andy Warhol was right in a way, 'Brendan Kavanagh' got more than his 20 minutes of fame.
Great yarn Greenthorn got my memory flowing. He also allows like you, people to play on the upper octaves usually. Not in this case.
Ern, I travel through St. Pancras every Monday, and sometimes twice a week. Some guys come off the train from Paris or Brussels and sit down for ten minutes or so to play a classical piece, and some are really, really good. But that boy of 10 pipped them all. As for Mr Kavanagh, he is a rogue, and has made a million quid exploiting others in his videos and posting them on YouTube. Far more engaging is Terry Miles (and a better pianist) and the guy from Europe Nico Brina - I think that's his name. But life isn't always about boogie-woogie. Sure it gets feet tapping and people jiving but it aint the b all and end all. I dont like instant coffee either. 😂
Good post Greenthorn - Wow Brendan Kavanagh "made a million" - I know he was a You Tuber had no idea he was that popular.
I am not a great lover of boogie-woogie - even played by Winifred Atwell - I liked 60s music in those days. These days I prefer Pomp and Circumstances I like the Royal Marines Band music .and some Light Opera from artists such as Sara Brightman .. I even like a bit of rock. I was at Manchester 02 with my daughter listening to Iron Maiden just a week before the ill fated Ariana Grande concert.
Not well up on piano players - I think I am right Nico Brina pays Blues and Boogie.
As for "instant coffee" (Analogy) No I like tea or proper coffee,
Yes, Nico Brina is primarily a boogie boogie player and quite an entertainer. He has a stripped down piano on wheels which he probably transports by lorry to various venues and market squares etc. He also has very professional filming equipment. Have you ever heard the song "Highland Cathedral"? It's played by various bands including the Royal Scots Dragoons and the Black Dyke Band, the links on You Tube. Stirring stuff for the Scots. Guess what? The tune was written by a German. (He must have been wearing a kilt at the time!)
My playlist is the American Song Book, often linking tunes by titles or by similar bridge sections or opening melody lines. I have a young friend who loves Winifred Atwell.
What a lovely story well told, Greenthorn. What an incredible talent that young man has, too. Chopin is one of my favourite composers and for that young man to have been able to play his music from memory at that age is amazing! Thank you for sharing your story and for giving that youngster an opportunity to show off his talent x
Thanks Threecats. When I return to the hospital this Thursday I will enquire of that boy in the hope of discovering more about him, even a name. I know he is an outpatient and it's possible I might see him again. Next time I would ask to film him.
I hate wet and grey days. One of my saddest tunes is "Here Comes That Rainy Day" I'm so glad that story lifted your spirits. I just have to write more frequently. I'm so looking forward to this Thursday when I'm back at that hospital to chat to more visitors and play some songs. Yes, it really was a surprise for all of us. I'm going to ask questions about that boy this Thursday, to see if I can find out more!
Hi Greenhorn, great to hear from you and what a lovely story. How lucky are the people going in and out to have you there playing for them. I wish you were at my local hospital (all I get is dodging the patients that have come out for a puff on their cigarettes!😅) but I have to say once in the care from all members of staff is brilliant so I'm very lucky there. 😊.
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