The Piano Boat

07/12/2024

I'm very excited to be welcoming on board the soprano and piano duo, Helen Lacey and Alexandra Standing, next month in a Piano Boat first!

They came round to get a feel for the space and we had a chat about all things performing, and their first impressions of the Concert Saloon.

Cruise performance dates:
Sunday 5th January 2025, 2.30pm - 6.30pm
Sunday 26th January 2025, 2.30pm - 6.30pm
https://buytickets.at/thepianoboat

Helen and Alex will be performing on board in January 2025 as a soprano and piano duo, in a Piano Boat first! It's going to be something very special.https:/...

22/11/2024

Last winter seemed the longest and darkest I could remember. It rained for months and the chill stretched on and on.

This winter, the cold air sparkles and there is a beautiful peace that smiles gently on the world.

Having thought I would wait until after the last cruise of the year in a few weeks' time to light the fire, I couldn't resist this morning and had a real craving for that warm crackling sound. It will be lit now nearly every day until winter breaks and a new year begins.

17/11/2024

I was delighted to be asked to feature in the November newsletter of Classical Events. Jonathan Heaton put together this interview which came out a couple of days ago.

Read here: http://eepurl.com/i4eqNY

November Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/i4eqNY
The Piano Boat - a floating concert venue. Music, cruising, hosting and catering.
Interview with Rhiana Tayama (Joint Founder).
And forthcoming concerts.

12/11/2024

Featuring caramelised pecans from the galley.

It’s definitely a perk of working for yourself in the kitchen that nobody can tell you off for sneaking a pinch of this or that as part of the intricate process of preparing 300+ canapés.

I made a good stash of these salted, caramelised pecans as they keep well in a Kilner jar and it will save time for the next few cruises. However, they are living in the galley now, a place I will frequent many times before the next cruise.

Bets on whether there will be any left or whether I’ll just have to make them all over again next time? 🤔

- - -
On another note, thank you so very much for all the kind and supportive comments on recent posts 🩵 I’m often quite overwhelmed by the loveliness of everyone.

Rhiana x

11/11/2024

The latest issue of Waterways World features a stunning autumnal front cover photo taken on the Welsh Llangollen Canal. Within its pages, you can find stories from those living afloat, boat reviews for anyone who likes to have a nosey around someone else’s boat (and who doesn’t?), and suggested cruising plans for the canal enthusiast.

Amongst those is a generous article written by editor Bobby Cowling, following his recent visit to The Piano Boat to catch up with the reopening. Bobby first came on board when the boat was brand new and an article appeared in the final months of 2020 describing this mad, new floating project. Although a bittersweet conversation, I was very grateful for the opportunity to share this next chapter with Waterways World readers.

11/11/2024

For the second cruise of 2024, pianist Graham Caskie created something magical in the Concert Saloon.

By the time we departed at 5.30pm, it was already dark and so we glided along into the parallel world of nighttime cruising. In the warmth and soft light inside the boat, champagne and canapés were served and when it came to the music, Graham took this evening’s guests on an expertly-guided tour of his programme of Ravel, Brahms and Debussy, concluding with a breathtaking performance of Rachmaninov’s poignant and at times churning Prelude in D major, Op. 23, No. 4.

08/11/2024

I realised only a few days ago that the new cruises, the ‘Moments Musicaux’, bear a striking resemblance to a cruise format that never saw the light of day when we restructured our plans following a delayed launch in 2021.

One of our very first ideas, ‘Musical Soirée Cruises’, was to share music in this intimate setting in a semi-informal way, with canapés and bubbly, and of course, the ever-present backdrop of the water.

‘Moments Musicaux’ cruises follow that very same format with now the added element of experiencing the musical delights whilst gliding silently along the canal, powered by the boat’s electric propulsion.

When The Piano Boat reopened in October, I had known for some time that I would open with something that was different and not a recycled version of the partnership that Masa and I built this project on. Although I know the difference between this and our previous events may look small and fairly insignificant, that change was an important detail in the picture that was emerging.

Interestingly, that similarity had only occurred to me for the first time this week and was completely unintentional.

As we begin to prepare for the next one in a couple of days’ time, there is a subtle glow about the shadow of old ideas that hang around, and a warmth in the realisation that I am continuing in more ways than one, the plans that we laid together, and that perhaps some were just (and maybe others are still) waiting for the right time.

Bookings are open up to February, and gift vouchers available for Christmas.

https://www.thepianoboat.com/moments-musicaux

https://www.thepianoboat.com/gift-vouchers

01/11/2024

Preparations begin two days in advance for The Piano Boat events. 'Why?' you cry! Well, watch this...

Behind the scenes for an event which is a first in many ways, and therefore a bit of an unknown until it happens!

🎥 Link to the full video in the comments below.

25/10/2024

Gift vouchers are back in time for… no, I won’t say it!

18/10/2024

In December, The Piano Boat welcomes pianist, lecturer and writer Emilie Capulet for two cruise performances.

Here, she discusses the programme she is preparing for the two concerts. It's a fascinating listen as you get drawn into the worlds of these composers and what it means to play their music.

17/10/2024

And so concludes the final leg of my solo cruise!

Day 3 of 3, approximately 24 hours of cruising in total and an indeterminate number of locks.

Link to the full video in the comments below 👇

16/10/2024

‘Rachmaninov’ aka The Piano Boat, is 67 foot long and 12 foot wide. She’s equipped with a hybrid engine that allows for silent cruising, and Masa’s vision was that we would be able to deliver concerts whilst gliding effortlessly and peacefully along the canal. This happened for the very first time only three days ago, and I think he was onto something.

Skippering was never really my job, and we had an unspoken agreement that it would be better if he scratched the boat rather than me, so I left him to it.

Usually, anyone’s first comment when looking down the roof from the helm is, ‘Wow, it IS a big boat,’ often followed by, ‘What’s she like to move?’ ‘Big,’ I used to reply. But, now, ‘Fine. It doesn’t bother me.’

It just goes to show that jumping in at the deep end (fully clothed and with only a vague notion of how to swim from watching others etc. etc.) is a hugely effective way of getting anything done quickly.

And now, I love cruising this ‘big’ widebeam boat. I have a new-found delight in the darkness of autumn evenings, when the water is still except for shimmering reflections, and you feel the need to breathe quietly so as not to disturb the air. In those moments, it seems you could almost disappear into the atmosphere if everything would just slow down enough.

The Piano Boat is in London, technically, but it could not feel more apart out here, away from the manic pace of travel and bleary-eyed coffees en-route. It truly is an escape from the everyday.

14/10/2024

From the galley!

Marinated chicken skewers with salsa verde
Olive crostini with whipped feta and marinated peppers
Lavosh with moutabal and spiced lamb
Egg and smoked salmon rolls
Cheese scones with cheddar and homemade chutney
Orange and thyme profiteroles

Amongst others (which I forgot to take photos of 🙈)!

11/10/2024

It’s been exciting to film recently with Narrow Escapes for series 2, airing on Channel 4 early in 2025!

06/10/2024

Today has been the first event on board The Piano Boat in over a year, and the first official event of Music on the Water. It is also the first ever masterclass held on board!

Thank you so much to Noriko Ogawa for delivering such a top-notch day and to everyone else who helped to organise and prepare for today. I absolutely rely on you!

05/10/2024

I saw a few red leaves yesterday. It’s happening! 🍁

Won’t you join me on board for one of the very first cruises of The Piano Boat’s reopening in the next few months? It’s cosy inside, and the music will be sublime. I’ve been donning my apron and hairnet lately, too, and can promise some pretty special (and new) edible delights.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepianoboat

Photo: Angela Henderson

03/10/2024

Autumn and winter are, I think, something special on the canals. There is something about the waterways that very quickly brings a feeling of escape from the world, and in quieter months that is magnified. There is an enveloping calm about the shorter days and time seems to slow down. There is very little boat movement around, and you can easily go long stretches without seeing another boat cruising. It’s warm inside and the kettle is always boiled.

21/09/2024

Sunday's concert will be live-streamed for anyone who can't make it in person, and the recording will be available afterwards.

You can view both the live event at 5pm and the recording at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/wnDuqck7hZE?si=Y1gm9kbv5CLZTzvg

Donations to Music on the Water most gratefully received: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVYHZW9FZ6PML