You may or may not have experienced a candlelight concert, but you’ve almost certainly never seen a Pianodrome candlelight concert. You’ll be treated to iconic pieces of music reimagined and performed live by incredible musicians all under the glow of candlelight in a venue unlike any other. The Pianodrome is a venue that pushes the boat out on creativity. What started as a small project in 2016 for Tim Vincent-Smith with a single half piano cube installation has led to a piano amphitheatre that attracted 18,000 visitors at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In July the Pianodrome returns to Edinburgh and this time to host a set of candlelight concerts. You can get tickets for them here.
Kicking off the Pianodrome candlelight concerts in July are the works of Joe Hisaishi. Initially, the name Joe Hisaishi might not mean much to you, but you will know his compositions if you’re even slightly a fan of Japanese cinema and anime. Hisaishi is the mastermind behind the soundtracks of the vast majority of Hayao Miyazaki’s most notable works. The duo have been compared to the American collaborative duo of Steven Spielberg and John Williams, in no small part because of how influential both duos’ works’ have been. Be prepared for music from Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and many more of Hisaishi and anime’s most iconic pieces of music. You can experience this on July 20, which you can book your seats for here.
Next we’re getting a bit more magical with a Fantasy & Fairytales Piano candlelight on July 27. For this inspired Pianodrome candlelight you will be graced with music that will transport you to another world. You will be hearing the likes of Debussy’s Claire De Lune, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, and many more from some of Classical music’s iconic figures. Expect grandiose numbers that swell and wane performed by the enthralling Ailsa Aitkenhead on the piano. There could be no more of a fitting setting to have this solo piano led show. Ticket’s for the show are available here.
You will want to get your tickets to these shows fast. Not least because the Pianodrome is only a temporary space that’s closing in September. The space made entirely from upcycled pianos is more than just an attempt at being more environmentally friendly. It is in fact a project born out of trying to get people to connect; a piano is something that encourages social situations. Think, if you see someone playing the piano in the street, you’re more than likely to stop. If you were lucky enough to have one at home, it’s likely your family gathered around to enjoy it together. That is the essence of the Pianodrome, and why you won’t want to miss these candlelight shows.