Grosvenor House hotel "pianocrash" performed by Oleg Lapidus
October 2008
Acoustic Graffiti performances
Oleg Lapidus, 37, the "Pianocrasher," plays music instruments in public areas where it is NOT allowed to. Come and guess for how long he will "stay on stage" before security stops him.
"Acoustic Graffiti" is the name of this new kind of performing arts, created by Mr Lapidus. It signifies the spread of graffiti culture into music world. While classic graffiti usually stands for a painting on a prohibited surface, the "acoustic graffiti" is a music performance in a prohibited place at a prohibited time. The difference between the two would be that visual graffiti is a form of street art while acoustic graffiti can happen indoors, including the most high profile venues, where classic graffiti would equal vandalism.
The "Pianocrasher" title refers to Italian "piano" - meaning "soft" and can be interpreted as "breaking silence". Talented and versatile musician, Oleg is a virtuoso clarinettist and saxophonist, a skilful pianist, flutist and a music teacher. For this reason his "pianocrashes" involve not only actual piano performances, but also flute, sax and clarinet.
Born in Almaty - the capital city of the Soviet Kazakhstan (close to the birth place of the notorious Borat), Oleg started to play piano at the age of 11 and later decided to learn clarinet. He was accepted to Almaty Musical College (classical clarinet) and upon graduating - to Almaty State Pedagogical University (classical piano, vocal, conducting and teaching) and Almaty State Conservatory (classical clarinet). After successfully graduating both of them with Masters Degree in Music he immigrated to Israel.
In Israel Mr Lapidus studied Jazz in Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music (Jazz Piano Nahum Perferkovich and Jazz Sax Boris Gammer). He played with different Dixieland, Jazz and Jewish wedding bands and he taught clarinet and piano at Jerusalem School of Music.
He also had numerous appearances on TV in programme "7:40" as a musician, singer and an actor. And he was published in Israeli Russian-speaking press. His novel "London Diary of a Street Musician" was a big success.
After 8 years in Israel he immigrated back to Russia and lived in Moscow for 3 years, periodically coming to live to London. He worked on TNT TV channel as a writer, director and editor for the talk show "Okna" ("Windows") there.
In 2006-08 Oleg took part in Klezmer and Jazz festivals in Moscow (Dona-Fest, Yiddish-fest), Klezfest in St. Petersburg and Klezfest in London, Covent Garden Jazz Festival.
Oleg now lives in London, UK where he plays Gypsy Jazz in Quequmbar, Greek music with Greek function band ZOI, Klezmer with different Klezmer bands and solo with his backing tracks in clubs, venues or in the street. He professionally teaches piano, clarinet, sax, flute and vocal.
At the beginning Oleg performs his graffiti-style crashes at minor places, but then he will progress to "pianocrashing" of the major concerts with famous music players. Just before the show starts the "acoustic graffitist" will come up on stage and crash the piano for the joy of the audience!
Oleg's recent "pianocrashes" include the lobby of the iconic buildings on the South Bank - Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Royal National Theatre, a number of top London hotels, including Grosvenor House in Park Lane and the Waldorf in Strand as well as restaurants.
On Tuesday, 22nd October 2008 the "Pianocrasher" played a traditional Irish tune on his flute in one of conference rooms of the Palace of Westminster. This landmark performance truly confirmed the existence of the new kind of art. "Pianocrash involves uncertainty just like any on stage performance and it makes you feel just as vulnerable or even more than a scheduled concert," said Oleg. "Its mission is to break the stereotype and to show that art has no bounds. And it gives people unexpected joy".
Oleg Lapidus, the "Pianocrasher" +44 (0) 79 8465 2608, e-mail: olapidu at gmail.com
Text: Eugenie Absalom +44 (0) 207 3700464, +44 (0) 7908 596072, e-mail: eugenieabsalom at aol.com
Camera - Eugenie Absalom
Loading...
0:38
Acoustic Graffitist at British Parliamentby ThePianocrasher2,628 views
@clutch1245 5 million thumbs up
nickringer 9 months ago
Note to cameraman. If someone comes up and asks, "Has this been arranged?", you always nod your head and say, "Yes, of course."
The anti-fun security should never be allowed to stop the piano crasher. You are the only buffer. As the only buffer between the piano crasher and the authorities, you may be required to karate chop a bitch in the throat, for science.
clutch1245 10 months ago
as they near rock and pretend you are blind like a heckler trying to get you off the stage, refuse to budge and if you do think deliriously of BOB MARLEY, JOE HIGGS, OVERCOMING, COURAGE, look away and bring them IN DON'T GIVE IN! Don't give them you're power, those around are paralyzed by your beautiful playing anyone stopping you need more positive education and training in arts not to follow orders only but also to THINK. LOVING SERVICE he needs confidence, the people need ART
TheAnnafisher 10 months ago
the lady that stopped him looked like Supernanny!!! xD
KWOOTfluke 10 months ago
"YES this was arranged bitch!
Fakerpokerplayer 10 months ago
this was great, i thought u worked there!
soulstice99 1 year ago
Not the right sort of piece for that location.
.
The instrument is in the corner of a low ceiling room; had he played "Piano Man" at Marriott-Grosvenor-House, they would probably have bought him a drink.
This fellow was accepted to Almaty Musical College and upon graduation - to Almaty State Pedagogical University (piano, vocal, conducting and teaching) and Almaty State Conservatoire (clarinet).
.
After successfully graduating both of them with Masters Degree in Music he immigrated to Israel.
HideTowerLONDON 2 years ago
AWESOMENESS. there was a song similar 2 that in the movie lengend of 1900
ShutUpYourWrong 2 years ago
Too many "jobsworths" in life...bring a little fun into life... yay!
Cruzaway14 3 years ago
This should be allowed.
opeth84 3 years ago