Entertainment
The Piano viewers have major complaint over star’s performance which left judges spellbound-Joel Harley-Entertainment – Metro
There are no words…
Michael wowed judges and onlookers alike with his unique performance (Picture: Channel 4)
Viewers of Channel 4’s The Piano have left a major complaint at the show following the appearance of a piano prodigy who left judges speechless.
The fourth episode of the talent show’s second series saw a fresh batch of hopefuls take up their seat at the titular piano – this week planted in Victoria Station, London.
The contest, which was originally won by 13-year-old blind virtuoso Lucy Illingworth last year, sees amateur musicians share their stories and music with the public, performing in packed train stations around the country.
This week’s line-up included neurodivergent Michael, 23, who shocked the judges with a rendition of his own composition, titled Great is the Grief.
‘What makes this piece very unique is that the words and the language are completely made up. There is no meaning there, the meaning instead is in the music and the voice,’ Michael explained to host Claudia Winkleman.
‘I’ve always struggled to fit in and there’s a reason for that. I have neurodiversities. I have autism and I have ADHD as well. The piano has always been my rock, my way of expressing myself,’ he said.
Michael shocked The Piano audiences by performing his own composition… featuring an entirely made-up language (Picture: Channel 4)
Michael’s performance brought Victoria Station to a standstill (Picture: Channel 4)
His talent on the keys was clear, but it was Michael’s mesmerising singing voice which truly astonished judges Mika and Lang Lang.
‘That’s gorgeous!’ exclaimed popstar Mika. ‘It’s gorgeous. Simple and gorgeous.’
‘Incredible,’ agreed Lang Lang. ‘Are you telling me he’s an amateur musician? This is incredible. I mean, this is not amateur.
‘Sounds like new Bach is born from the middle of a train station in London,’ Chinese virtuoso Lang Lang went on to say.
Neurodivergent Michael described music as his ‘rock’ (Picture: Channel 4)
Michael’s mother looked on proudly as he went on to win the episode (Picture: Channel 4)
Other acts included Josh, who played his version of Vienna by Billy Joel, and a young woman with her energetic rendition of Jerry Lee Lewis’s Goodness Gracious, Great Balls of Fire.
But to many, the continued proliferation of singers on The Piano seemed to be missing the point of the show.
Taking to the social media website X, viewers hit back at the abundance of singers in the episode.
Michael wowed Mika and Lang Lang… but audiences were more divided (Picture: Channel 4)
‘Sorry, I don’t agree with that. It’s called The Piano, not The Voice,’ wrote user XxLadyClairexx.
‘OK but just not singing please cut down on it,’ said eightclubs_.
‘It’s just karaoke with a piano now,’ commented serverhangup.
‘Michael is almost operatic. What a talent. But yet again, a singer on The Piano. As a pianist myself I am waiting for the next Lucy. Not the next Adele or Elton John,’ said philm2244.
Michael will appear again in the show’s grand final (Picture: Channel 4)
Michael went on to win the episode and will be invited back to perform on stage for The Piano’s grand final at the Royal Festival Hall.
‘Michael was the perfect person to pick for the final concert because he was the amazing thing that we could never have predicted, that we just didn’t expect,’ said Mika.
‘He’s a genius,’ said Lang Lang. ‘He composed this incredible music masterwork.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Viewers still spellbound by Lucy Illingworth, blind pianist who won The Piano aged 13
Entertainment – MetroRead More
