The duet that sort of broke TikTok
June 7, 2023 4:34 AM Subscribe
Oh what a world it is, that has such musicians in it! There was a piano in a London tube station, so Aurélien Froissart decided to kill time by playing classical music. As one does.
But then something amazing - another musician who was passing through asked if she could jump in. What followed was an incredible and virtually flawless impromptu duet - between strangers, with no planning, no rehearsal, no sheet music. Astonishing.
The piano player is Aurélien Froissart and his TikTok is full of similar great videos, usually of people approaching and asking him to classical songs and some singing along with him. "I play piano everywhere because classical music is for everyone" is a motto of his.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:10 AM on June 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:10 AM on June 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
no planning, no rehearsal, no sheet music
But there were at least three cameras. Or one camera and at least three takes. Funny that.
posted by Grangousier at 5:12 AM on June 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
But there were at least three cameras. Or one camera and at least three takes. Funny that.
posted by Grangousier at 5:12 AM on June 7, 2023 [13 favorites]
But there were at least three cameras. Or one camera and at least three takes. Funny that.
Look at his TikTok, linked above your comment, he often has several cameras set up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:13 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Look at his TikTok, linked above your comment, he often has several cameras set up.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:13 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I thought the duet that broke TikTok was Space Jam DVD.
posted by jozxyqk at 5:16 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jozxyqk at 5:16 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Amazing performance.
Interesting the crowd wasn't just so much bigger by the end.
Most of us are just swimming upstream through the school on the way home and barely even register the beauty in the world.
posted by chavenet at 5:17 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Interesting the crowd wasn't just so much bigger by the end.
Most of us are just swimming upstream through the school on the way home and barely even register the beauty in the world.
posted by chavenet at 5:17 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Love Aurélien Froissart! He often plays at Monoprix near the Champs Élysée if you’re ever in Paris! Lots of the Monoprix supermarkets here have pianos so there are often people playing, although rarely as good as him.
posted by ellieBOA at 5:26 AM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 5:26 AM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
I am loving the happy little clips and stories being posted recently, including this one. Thanks, Mogur, this was just what I needed. A little bit of beauty during a break from work.
posted by Bella Donna at 5:46 AM on June 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 5:46 AM on June 7, 2023 [5 favorites]
That was beautiful. It's hard not to feel skeptical that it wasn't preplanned, because of all the cameras, but it's easy enough to ask the people who watched if they would send him whatever they captured. And you could see that they paused for set up, which would also allow for him to add another device (his own or borrowed). If he monetizes his channel, it's not that crazy nowadays.
I love seeing videos like this (Joshua Bell in the DC Metro is another favorite) and would love to think that in the middle of a crowded station or a busy trip, I would be one of the passers-by who stops and takes the time to appreciate something so spontaneous and wonderful. I'm jealous of the people who do. But living in a city feels so oversaturated and time - especially when you're traveling - always feels like it's not really under your own control. So I really appreciate things like this being captured and shared. And happening in the first place. So thanks so much for posting it.
posted by Mchelly at 7:06 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I love seeing videos like this (Joshua Bell in the DC Metro is another favorite) and would love to think that in the middle of a crowded station or a busy trip, I would be one of the passers-by who stops and takes the time to appreciate something so spontaneous and wonderful. I'm jealous of the people who do. But living in a city feels so oversaturated and time - especially when you're traveling - always feels like it's not really under your own control. So I really appreciate things like this being captured and shared. And happening in the first place. So thanks so much for posting it.
posted by Mchelly at 7:06 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I don't care if it was staged, a performance like that in public is still a gift. Especially in the soul-crushing mall-with-no-exit of an airport. And it's nice to have seen in by video after the fact.
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:27 AM on June 7, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:27 AM on June 7, 2023 [14 favorites]
Couldn't help but notice that she appears to take out her fiddle and start playing without tuning up. Fiddles don't work like that. Maybe editing, but it makes it look a little fake.
posted by charlesminus at 7:39 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by charlesminus at 7:39 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Love this, and I know that piano - it's outside the Eurostar at St. Pancras station :) I've been fortunate enough to have heard someone with (to this untutored ear) serious talent playing on it around half of the times I've been past.
posted by sarble at 7:51 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sarble at 7:51 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Jazz pianist Jacob Keller often sets up at train stations or malls in Japan & plays with random people.
posted by juv3nal at 8:18 AM on June 7, 2023
posted by juv3nal at 8:18 AM on June 7, 2023
That was tremendous!
There are often buskers playing various baroque pieces on Accordion in the subways here (Berlin) and they always place themselves at the point of best resonance - so it sounds great.
The next best thing is (as is the case here) the various arrangements of often familiar pieces. How he manages to get most all of the 'orchestras' parts into the piano part was a real treat.
(start playing without tuning up to be fair, there's a cut there, presumably while she, boringly, tuned. Though she definitely seemed ready to crush the piece, which she did.)
posted by From Bklyn at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
There are often buskers playing various baroque pieces on Accordion in the subways here (Berlin) and they always place themselves at the point of best resonance - so it sounds great.
The next best thing is (as is the case here) the various arrangements of often familiar pieces. How he manages to get most all of the 'orchestras' parts into the piano part was a real treat.
(start playing without tuning up to be fair, there's a cut there, presumably while she, boringly, tuned. Though she definitely seemed ready to crush the piece, which she did.)
posted by From Bklyn at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
The piece was chosen by the violinist, who has the tough part. And it's a really well-known piece, so I guess it's not impossible that the pianist was ready to do the accompaniment on the spot, just by coincidence and/or because he's got a great memory? But the simplest explanation by far is that there was at least a little planning, despite what they imply.
Anyway, it's exciting to watch, and I guess if a gimmick is part of what helps sell an exciting bit of music, OK, fine.
posted by bfields at 8:28 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Anyway, it's exciting to watch, and I guess if a gimmick is part of what helps sell an exciting bit of music, OK, fine.
posted by bfields at 8:28 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
That piano at St Pancras definitely has the best pianists of any pianos I've been past in the past couple of years. Always good. Come to think of it, I'm friends with a choir who have also done impromptu concerts there.
Also extremely handy for pianists from Paris, of course. Although it's possible to imagine the UK authorities being extremely petty about it.
posted by ambrosen at 9:07 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also extremely handy for pianists from Paris, of course. Although it's possible to imagine the UK authorities being extremely petty about it.
posted by ambrosen at 9:07 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
I also had the same thoughts about whether or not it *really* was a random meeting... and then I realized that it doesn't matter. It was beautiful music, and a perfect way to start a rough day. That's good enough for me.
posted by dfm500 at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dfm500 at 9:41 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
I don't care if it was staged
I don't care if something is staged - the best performances are, after all - but I don't like simulated spontaneity, and the expectations it creates.
In my lifetime it feels like we have seen a reduction in actual buskers on street corners and train stations, and a simultaneous increase in these reality-TV stunts. People would rather watch this carefully created video on their phones than an actual busker in meatspace. So I'm sad about that.
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:48 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
I don't care if something is staged - the best performances are, after all - but I don't like simulated spontaneity, and the expectations it creates.
In my lifetime it feels like we have seen a reduction in actual buskers on street corners and train stations, and a simultaneous increase in these reality-TV stunts. People would rather watch this carefully created video on their phones than an actual busker in meatspace. So I'm sad about that.
posted by splitpeasoup at 9:48 AM on June 7, 2023 [6 favorites]
Not the slightest bit inclined to put the cur in mudgeon for this one. Well played!
posted by flabdablet at 10:48 AM on June 7, 2023
posted by flabdablet at 10:48 AM on June 7, 2023
I've frequently passed that piano in St Pancras train station, where the Eurostar is, and I've wanted to plunk some tunes on it--never had the courage to. And I believe there is (or used to be) a corresponding piano in the Gare du Nord, where the Eurostar terminates. There is a joy in the opportunity for spontaneous public (classical?) music that I would love to experience more here in the States.
posted by Quaversalis at 11:06 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Quaversalis at 11:06 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
You can see iPhone cameras set up at either end of the piano keyboard. But so what?
posted by Paul Slade at 11:09 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Paul Slade at 11:09 AM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also extremely handy for pianists from Paris, of course. Although it's possible to imagine the UK authorities being extremely petty about it.
"They come over 'ere, playin' our pianos..."
posted by Paul Slade at 11:14 AM on June 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
"They come over 'ere, playin' our pianos..."
posted by Paul Slade at 11:14 AM on June 7, 2023 [7 favorites]
But there were at least three cameras. Or one camera and at least three takes.
Regardless of the extent of advance planning, cuts do not necessarily imply "takes." It seems likely that there was some violin tuning that was edited out. The presence of multiple cameras is not particularly noteworthy, forensically, in figuring out how staged this was or wasn't.
posted by wolfpants at 11:34 AM on June 7, 2023
Regardless of the extent of advance planning, cuts do not necessarily imply "takes." It seems likely that there was some violin tuning that was edited out. The presence of multiple cameras is not particularly noteworthy, forensically, in figuring out how staged this was or wasn't.
posted by wolfpants at 11:34 AM on June 7, 2023
But there were at least three cameras.
You can see two of the cameras: two smart phones propped up at either end of the piano keys. Plus I assume a friend or volunteer taking the closeups of the violinist.
posted by TreeRooster at 4:21 PM on June 7, 2023
You can see two of the cameras: two smart phones propped up at either end of the piano keys. Plus I assume a friend or volunteer taking the closeups of the violinist.
posted by TreeRooster at 4:21 PM on June 7, 2023
> Fiddles don't work like that.
The clock on the wall says 17:07 when she approaches, and 17:12 when she starts playing.
posted by nickzoic at 5:15 PM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
The clock on the wall says 17:07 when she approaches, and 17:12 when she starts playing.
posted by nickzoic at 5:15 PM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Is it always played that quickly? I don't know what version I grew up listening to on my dad's cassettes, but I remember it being a tiny bit slower.
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:34 PM on June 7, 2023
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:34 PM on June 7, 2023
> Is it always played that quickly? I don't know what version I grew up listening to on my dad's cassettes, but I remember it being a tiny bit slower.
Performers vary widely in their speeds. I remember reading that some scholars think we play classical music slower than was intended, and there has been a trend toward faster tempos. With the exhilaration of its heat and dust, "Summer" can't go fast enough as far as I'm concerned.
posted by lhauser at 6:28 PM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
Performers vary widely in their speeds. I remember reading that some scholars think we play classical music slower than was intended, and there has been a trend toward faster tempos. With the exhilaration of its heat and dust, "Summer" can't go fast enough as far as I'm concerned.
posted by lhauser at 6:28 PM on June 7, 2023 [2 favorites]
so there i was, right, plinking away at the station piano when of a sudden the entire london philharmonic pops up lookin' at me as if to say, 'hey, wanna have a go, mate.' i look over at the lead clarinet and we lock eyes for just a sec before the eton's college chapel choir emerges from a sbarros. just then the ghost of leonard-fuckin'-bernstein appears and taps his ba-ton and we're off. i don't rightly remember what happened in the ensuing, but judging by the several hours of video shot from random passersby it seems like it just might have been the best demmed impromptu rendition of 'duel of the fates' composed by oscar-winner john williams like and share thx
posted by logicpunk at 7:42 PM on June 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by logicpunk at 7:42 PM on June 7, 2023 [4 favorites]
I was just minding my own business getting a cheesesteak when a fuggin' production of Carmen broke out.
posted by Reverend John at 8:11 PM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Reverend John at 8:11 PM on June 7, 2023 [1 favorite]
The piano player is Aurélien Froissart and his TikTok is full of similar great videos, usually of people approaching and asking him to classical songs and some singing along with him. "I play piano everywhere because classical music is for everyone" is a motto of his.
The Algorithm has decided I like Froissart, so I've seen a bunch of his Toks. They're great! They always bring a tear to my jaded eye!
But also, I can't help but be skeptical of just so many "random" encounters with top-flight musicians, often playing incredibly difficult and complex music that he just so happens to have by memory.
posted by coriolisdave at 9:18 PM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
The Algorithm has decided I like Froissart, so I've seen a bunch of his Toks. They're great! They always bring a tear to my jaded eye!
But also, I can't help but be skeptical of just so many "random" encounters with top-flight musicians, often playing incredibly difficult and complex music that he just so happens to have by memory.
posted by coriolisdave at 9:18 PM on June 7, 2023 [3 favorites]
Channel 4 in the UK recently did a series, The Piano, in which members of the public were invited to come and play a piano in various large railway stations around the country. They did not know they were being watched by Lang Lang and Mika, who chose one performer from each episode to take part in a concert at the Royal Festival Hall. The Guardian described it as 'Bake Off with pianos", and it's possibly even more heartwarming.
posted by Hogshead at 9:09 AM on June 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Hogshead at 9:09 AM on June 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
vivaldi's summer isn't that complicated, harmonically - it's just really fast. it's classical rocknroll, and a really good muso freestyling the accompaniment is wildly impressive but not like doing a beethoven symphony. it's also extremely famous and a lot of fun, so him knowing it isn't some impossibility.
posted by Sebmojo at 2:21 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Sebmojo at 2:21 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Oh my God I am so sorry I posted this item.
posted by Mogur at 3:58 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Mogur at 3:58 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
No! It was a lot of fun to watch and people here always need to kick the tires a bit… I’m really glad you posted it.
posted by Mchelly at 5:54 PM on June 8, 2023
posted by Mchelly at 5:54 PM on June 8, 2023
Aw, no, as one of the skeptics, I liked the video anyway, thanks for posting it!
Don't let our nitpicking keep anyone from enjoying it.
posted by bfields at 8:09 PM on June 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Don't let our nitpicking keep anyone from enjoying it.
posted by bfields at 8:09 PM on June 8, 2023 [1 favorite]
Am I the only one who’s been hornswoggled into thinking encounters like this have happened because the violinist randomly sees the pianist in the train station, recognizes them and then asks if they want to play together?
posted by bendy at 8:30 PM on June 8, 2023
posted by bendy at 8:30 PM on June 8, 2023
Hey, we’ve all been hornswoggled at times!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:32 PM on June 8, 2023
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:32 PM on June 8, 2023
Metafilter: Oh my God I am so sorry I posted this item.
posted by Paul Slade at 11:48 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Paul Slade at 11:48 PM on June 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
Am I the only one who’s been hornswoggled...
No, and good grief! I get there's a tremendous amount of manipulation in TikTokstagramBook world but I took this as genuine - not planned and rehearsed. The way she looked at him first, when asking if he could play Vivaldi, to me looks 100% genuine "I'm going home from rehearsal, oh look a scheme on a Public Piano, I'm gonna rock his world with my "Spring"" turning into genuine good music when Froissart shows he can keep up.
posted by From Bklyn at 1:19 AM on June 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
No, and good grief! I get there's a tremendous amount of manipulation in TikTokstagramBook world but I took this as genuine - not planned and rehearsed. The way she looked at him first, when asking if he could play Vivaldi, to me looks 100% genuine "I'm going home from rehearsal, oh look a scheme on a Public Piano, I'm gonna rock his world with my "Spring"" turning into genuine good music when Froissart shows he can keep up.
posted by From Bklyn at 1:19 AM on June 9, 2023 [1 favorite]
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