In 2016, Elton John serenaded St Pancras railway station with a brief piano medley of his hits, leaving behind a donated Yamaha piano with a heartfelt message. Little did he know that this gesture would transform the railway station’s concourse into a musical haven for both celebrities and everyday commuters.
Since then, the iconic black Yamaha, adorned with Elton’s autograph, has been graced by notable figures such as Alicia Keys, Jools Holland, John Legend, Tom Odell, and Jeff Goldblum. Rod Stewart, opting for his 11-piece band last week, joined the ranks of performers at the central London station.
However, amid the star-studded impromptu concerts, the St Pancras piano, of which there are two, was originally intended for ordinary people’s enjoyment. This week, Anastasios Pagonidis, a 19-year-old partially sighted individual originally from Greece and currently homeless, found solace in playing the instrument. “I don’t have a piano where I am,” he shared, pouring his soul into a virtuoso selection of Greek standards and self-compositions.
For Pagonidis, the piano is more than an instrument; it embodies himself. As he played, commuters paused, some smiling or approvingly glancing over, appreciating the impromptu performance.
Joseph Smith, a Guardian software developer with latent musical ambitions, took his turn at the piano, treating listeners to John’s Tiny Dancer. Smith, also an accompanist for the Choir with No Name, finds solace in music around his software development role.
The trend of street pianos has roots dating back to an abandoned instrument in Sheffield, gaining momentum in 2008 when artist Luke Jerram placed secondhand pianos across Britain with the invitation: “play me, I’m yours.” This movement has since inspired similar installations globally, with a recent hit Channel 4 show, “The Piano,” showcasing the trend.
Back on the St Pancras concourse, Smith’s rendition of White Christmas elicited wide smiles, attracting more passersby. According to Hannah Gault, en route to a carol concert in Liverpool, the mere presence of the piano made her day.
At the other end of the station, 10-year-old Heidi Arieh delicately played “I Dreamed a Dream,” capturing the attention of passersby, including her beaming mother, Leonora. A spontaneous moment of joy, this piano, tucked between Paul Express cafe and escalators, has seen a diverse array of performers, creating a unique, shared experience.
As Leonora reflected on the energy left behind by the famous musicians who graced the same piano, an unexpected encounter with a very enthusiastic, albeit inebriated, individual seeking his turn prompted their departure. Unlike Elton John, they experienced the unpredictable charm of public piano playing at St Pancras station.
