The Queen's Piano

[Constantbee]

Never miss it. This year there is what looks like a piano positioned behind HRH, to the right and just in front of the Christmas tree. It is gilded and has very ornate legs. I'm assuming it's a historic instrument, although it might not be, of course. Never noticed anything like this before. It's very welcome addition to the setting. Anyone happen to know what it is?

[Stanfordian]

Never miss it. This year there is what looks like a piano positioned behind HRH, to the right and just in front of the Christmas tree. It is gilded and has very ornate legs. I'm assuming it's a historic instrument, although it might not be, of course. Never noticed anything like this before. It's very welcome addition to the setting. Anyone happen to know what it is?

I wonder who in the extended Royal family might play it.

[cloughie]

I wonder who in the extended Royal family might play it.

I think, when in Billy Joel’s words he wore a younger man’s clothes, Prince Philip gave the Queeen his Jerry Lee Lewis impressions! n asolure star apparently

[Nevilevelis]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the music room at Buckingham Palace. Mendelssohn played that piano, although as far as the tourguides are concerned, Elton John is the most important person to have played it. You can imagine my reaction to that information when I enquired as to what was on the music stand (one of Mendelssoh's Songs Without Words)! Nothing against Sir Elton, you understand. He's just rather further back in the great musician queue for me.

NVV

[subcontrabass]

Never miss it. This year there is what looks like a piano positioned behind HRH, to the right and just in front of the Christmas tree. It is gilded and has very ornate legs. I'm assuming it's a historic instrument, although it might not be, of course. Never noticed anything like this before. It's very welcome addition to the setting. Anyone happen to know what it is?

See https://www.rct.uk/collection/2426/grand-piano

[Lat-Literal]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the music room at Buckingham Palace. Mendelssohn played that piano, although as far as the tourguides are concerned, Elton John is the most important person to have played it. You can imagine my reaction to that information when I enquired as to what was on the music stand (one of Mendelssoh's Songs Without Words)! Nothing against Sir Elton, you understand. He's just rather further back in the great musician queue for me.

NVV

There was an interview with Sir Elton on BBC 5 Live last night.

He is Mendelssohn compared with the talentless bunch he has just got in to record his songs and for the life of me I can't understand why he is so keen on them.

Oh, the Queen's speech...….yes, I fully support this in principle.

[MrGongGong]

[Beef Oven!]

There was an interview with Sir Elton on BBC 5 Live last night.

He is Mendelssohn compared with the talentless bunch he has just got in to record his songs and for the life of me I can't understand why he is so keen on them.

Oh, the Queen's speech...….yes, I fully support this in principle.

God save the Queen

[LMcD]

She even pays income tax, these days. That said, the prices of entry to Windor Castle, Buckinghan Palace et al, help her out in that respect. Now when I were a lad, (cont. p. 94).

Signs of changing times: HM's speech was watched by a total of 6.4 million people, spread over (at least) 3 channels, in the UK this year (7.6 million last year). Christmas TV ratings have been falling for years.

[ardcarp]

I think there are many other pianos in The Royal Estate. Notwithstanding the piano pictured is an Erard, didn't John Broadwood & Co. hold the royal warrant for providing instruments?

[gradus]

I think there are many other pianos in The Royal Estate. Notwithstanding the piano pictured is an Erard, didn't John Broadwood & Co. hold the royal warrant for providing instruments?

I imagine that case aside the Erard is straight strung and a rare-ish example of the breed. Interesting to hear it.

[Beef Oven!]

Putting the piano to one side for a moment, does anyone know anything about the pen in front of Her Majesty?

[Stanfordian]

I think, when in Billy Joel’s words he wore a younger man’s clothes, Prince Philip gave the Queeen his Jerry Lee Lewis impressions! n asolure star apparently

Oh right!

[ardcarp]

I imagine that case aside the Erard is straight strung and a rare-ish example of the breed.

I read that book called 'The Piano Tuner' by Daniel Mason, which I think featured an Erard grand. It started off well, but had a deeply depressing ending, with...as I dimly recall...everyone dying in a Burmese jungle. I didn't really see the point of it.

[Bryn]

Putting the piano to one side for a moment, does anyone know anything about the pen in front of Her Majesty?

More to the point, does the music room have a green door?