17 July 2025
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The iconic London train station continues its musical legacy with a new state-of-the-art Kawai piano, inviting everyone – from visitors to famous faces – to play.
St. Pancras International has unveiled an exciting new addition to its cherished musical heritage: the St Pancras Piano. Introduced in collaboration with renowned piano manufacturer, Kawai, the K-500 upright piano now takes pride of place in the heart of the station’s main Arcade – offering performers of all abilities a platform for self-expression and adding to the station’s rich and vibrant cultural atmosphere.
The installation reflects the shared spirit of St. Pancras International and Kawai’s "Instrumental to Life" campaign, celebrating music as a universal language that creates memories and invites everyone, regardless of age or ability, to take part. It’s a perfect fit for a station which brings musical moments to millions of people’s journeys.
To mark the occasion, St. Pancras International, Kawai and Classic FM – the UK’s most popular classical music brand – invited world-renowned pianists Lara Melda, Karim Kamar and Louis Philippson to give impromptu performances on the new St. Pancras piano, inspiring commuters of all abilities to try playing the public piano themselves. Every year Classic FM shines a light on 30 musicians, under 30, who are evolving the classical musical landscape in their Classic FM’s Rising Stars, with Louis Philippson featuring as one of the stars of 2025.
Over the years, St. Pancras International has attracted world-class performers on its public pianos including GRAMMY® award winners Alicia Keys and Norah Jones, Jeff Goldblum, Rod Stewart and Jools Holland, Elton John, John Legend, Tom Odell, James Arthur, and most recently, Delta Goodrem. These musical moments have helped establish the station as a cultural landmark. It is not just global stars who take to the keys - St. Pancras International has also become a beloved stage for rising talent and passionate piano enthusiasts alike, fostering a unique sense of community and creativity at the heart of the station.
A Kawai K-500, the new St. Pancras Piano, delivers impressive tonal richness and dynamic range, thanks to Kawai’s exclusive Millennium III Upright Action with ABS-Carbon Composites - ensuring lasting precision for years to come. Its arrival builds on St. Pancras International’s rich musical legacy, with public pianos delighting passengers since 2012, when they were first introduced as part of the City of London Festival’s golden anniversary.
Tom Haydney, Marketing and Product Manager, Kawai UK, says: "St. Pancras International is a historic station that has become synonymous with spontaneous musical performances. We are honoured that our K-500 professional upright piano will become the 'St. Pancras Piano' – a beautiful instrument for visitors to enjoy, whether they’re playing themselves or pausing to listen. It’s a privilege to contribute to a space where anyone can become the protagonist in their own musical story.”
St. Pancras International and Kawai are inviting visitors to share their musical moments on social media with the hashtag #InstrumentalToLife, celebrating the idea that no matter your ability, everyone can release their inner musician and express what words cannot.
The new St. Pancras Piano joins the existing Phantom Piano, donated by Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals in 2024.
Read about art and music at St. Pancras International and keep up to date with news and events at St. Pancras International station.
© Sam Lane photography