Royal Philharmonic Society Award Winner!
#LeedsPiano
The Leeds Piano Trail brings music to every street corner, and we’re thrilled to have been awarded a prestigious RPS Award – the ‘BAFTAs of the classical music world.’
In 2021, over 206,000 people experienced our pianos and sculpture trail. The outstandingly talented artists of Pianodrome handcrafted sculptures created entirely from recycled pianos and placed them alongside artist and community decorated playable instruments. The theme of the Trail highlighted the dangers of the climate crisis and our permanent piano trail has environmental sustainability running through it.
Together with University of Leeds, LeedsBID, Classic FM, our host venues and communities, over 1.8 million people will engage with our programme in 2023. We are proud to share music (and happiness) across our Piano City…
Join us for pop-up performances at 1pm on the FIRST SATURDAY of every month or get involved.
KIRKGATE MARKET PIANO designed by John Mayson
Kirkgate Market is at the very heart of the Trail – all the smells, sights and sounds of the market come alive in this bustling hub where the warmest welcome awaits. It’s the perfect place for performance (best enjoyed with something delicious from the famous food stalls of course). Being close to the Leeds Conservatoire, talented students often come to play and the Kirkgate audience is always curious, enthusiastic and ready to join in!
LEEDS PLAYHOUSE PIANO designed by Heydays
We LOVE the ultra-cool Leeds Playhouse – every part of this amazing theatre oozes creativity and passion! Known for its astonishing productions, the brilliant work they do helps get people into theatre and Heydays are one of its longest running community groups. They made us a vibrant piano last year which is full of joy and fun – it makes us smile every time it’s played…
MERRION CENTRE PIANO designed by Rosie Vohra
The Merrion Centre is a place for shopping and entertainment, where people come together. In creating a new piano for the Trail, Artist Rosie Vohra has created a playful design which incorporates wheels, cogs and a fish tail shape that was attached to the end of the“Featherstone-Kite Openwork Basketweave Mark Two Gentleman’s Flying Machine” which was on display in a glass cabinet at The Merrion Centre from the 1960s. If you look closely, you can also make out the silhouette of Jay Rayner, who played the Trail last year.
THE LIGHT PIANO designed by Rosie Vohra
Without a doubt, The Light has the best acoustic of the whole Trail. Its stunning space creates an atmospheric auditorium for the piano to resonate in and we get lost in the beautiful sound in there. It’s also host to one of our best pianos – a lovely Boston which was donated to the Competition, lovingly decorated in fresh spring-like colours by Rosie Vohra, to reflect the architecture of the building and the nature within and around it.
TRINITY LEEDS PIANO designed by Lucy Wright
Probably our most-played piano, the pianists that pass through Trinity are always a surprise. Wait a while, and you’ll hear Chopin, Queen, Einaudi, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star all within 10 minutes. The pianists of Leeds are special indeed and wow, can they play! This fantastic location is a joy to have as part of the Trail which hosts a bright and cheerful piano made for us by Leeds artist, Lucy Wright.
VICTORIA LEEDS PIANO designed by Rosie Vohra
Set under the glorious stained glass window of Queen Victoria Street, Rosie Vohra’s design is inspired by the warm colour palette of oranges and greens seen in Brian Clarke’s famed canopy. The Victoria Leeds piano harmoniously brings together the old and new, referencing the architectural heritage of Victoria Quarter and the contemporary design of Victoria Gate, and its music brings people together through the vibrant social life of these iconic arcades.
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS PIANO designed by Alison Smith
The University of Leeds campus is a brilliant place to experience something new, where people make friends and take part in hundreds of different activities every week, including a huge range of music societies. Our piano there, made by artist Alison Smith, has a serious message – its glowing wave is lit with the Climate Stripes – bands of colour which represent the rise in global temperatures over the last 170 years. Find out more at #ShowYourStripes
Gallery
Keep an eye on our social media platforms and sign up to our monthly newsletter to get behind the scenes insights and click on the images below to learn more about our inspirational artists!
John Mayson
Alison Smith
Rosie Vohra
Lucy Wright
Our Community
The Leeds Piano Trail would not exist without the vibrant community of Leeds who inspired this project. With each group and organisation, we build new friendships and engage with their concerns around issues including mental health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Recently we have partnered with community groups include Mind Leeds, Getaway Girls, Leeds citizens, Heydays and Leeds Allotments Federation. Click on the images below to find out more about their work.