Katya Lebedeva to play grand piano on moving float
Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire will again bring classical music to the streets for the Lord Mayor's Show.
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Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, Katya Lebedeva, will again play a grand piano from a moving float as part of the Lord Mayor's Show in November. This marks the second year of the initiative, which aims to make classical music accessible to a wider audience by performing it directly on the city's streets.
Origins of the mobile performance
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The concept originated when Elisabeth Mainelli, Consort to the 695th Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli, requested a concert for the Lord Mayor's Appeal auction. John Burton, Chairman of the charity Pollinating London Together, purchased this concert. Following a dinner conversation, Lebedeva expressed her belief that classical music should be universally accessible, suggesting a piano could be taken to the public on a truck. Burton responded, "I have the truck!"
Last year's experience
The float last year was adorned with fresh flowers, creating a "magnificent travelling garden" with a Yamaha grand piano at its centre. To ensure the music could be heard above the noise of the crowds, the piano's sound was amplified. Lebedeva described the experience of playing from atop the float as feeling "secure and grand," becoming exhilarating as thousands of people lined the streets.
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She likened the experience to street performing, noting its value in teaching a musician to capture attention quickly and build a stage presence without relying on a traditional setting. Lebedeva observed that "the moment the crowd doesn't like what you are playing, they voice it," a direct feedback mechanism not found in concert halls. The interaction with the public, witnessing expressions of "pure awe," and spontaneous musical collaborations, such as jamming with a nearby drummers' band, were particularly rewarding.
Programme for 2026
For the upcoming 2026 event, Lebedeva has curated a programme designed to reflect the rhythm and atmosphere intended for the message of nature and inspiration. The selection will include dances by composers such as Chopin and De Falla, marches by Prokofiev, and pieces by Grieg that focus on nature. Pollinating London Together will again be the presenting charity for the float.
Lebedeva views the term 'pollinating' as extending beyond flora and insects to encompass educating and inspiring minds, raising awareness through the combined beauty of music and nature.
Questions this report answers
+Who will be playing the piano on the moving float?
Katya Lebedeva, who is the Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music, will be playing the grand piano on the moving float. This will be her second consecutive year performing in the Lord Mayor's Show.
+What is the purpose of the mobile piano concept?
The mobile piano concept aims to make classical music more accessible to the public by bringing performances directly to the streets. It is described as a democratic and generous act, allowing musicians to connect with people in a unique way.
+What kind of music will be performed?
The programme for this year's performance will feature a selection of dances and marches, including pieces by Chopin, De Falla, and Prokofiev. It will also include music by Grieg that is inspired by nature.
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