QM2 - Playing on the famed Ocean Liner

What a whirlwind this Spring has been!

I just returned from my crossing of the Atlantic Ocean on Queen Mary 2. My three recitals on board were very well received, and I loved playing on the different venues of the ship!

The Royal Court Theatre was my favorite.

The Royal Court Theater seats about 1100 on two levels of balconies. Queen Mary 2 also features a planetarium, where I played my last recital. The ceiling is absolutely stunning.

In my concerts, I introduced each piece with insights about the composer’s life, or with tips on how to best listen to the work.

Talking to the audience members after the concert in the lobby was very fun.

Most guests on this voyage were either from the US or the UK, and many are avid concert goers. Some attended all three of my shows, some even wrote thank you notes with very kind comments.

Before a concert I usually eat a light meal. This was no different on Queen Mary 2. On my concert days I like to stay ‘in the zone’, which usually means a quiet bite to eat all by myself. My cabin steward was brilliant and brought to my cabin a tasty cheese and cucumber sandwich on each concert day (love the silverware and the Cunard crest on the plate!).

Queen Mary 2 features its own TV station with shows, that are produced on route. Neil Kelly, our entertainment director, is a fantastic host. The picture above was taken immediately after the TV show. It was such great fun to talk about my concerts, and to invite the guests to attend.

Many of you have asked me if the ship moves during a concert performance.

This voyage was relatively smooth, but midway through the crossing we did get some movement of the ship. I felt the motion especially in my second concert in the Royal Court Theatre.

It can be a bit distracting. Luckily, I have not encountered rough seas during a concert yet!

Leaving Red Hook Cruise Terminal in Brooklyn, New York was one of the highlights of the voyage. The view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty was quite spectacular.

I can’t wait to be back for my next adventure on Queen Mary 2 later this summer. Take a look at the details here.