This pianist spontaneously turned the Coronation Street theme into a completely stunning piece of solo piano music

2 July 2015, 17:24 | Updated: 6 January 2017, 14:45

montero coronation street improvisation

Something very special happened at our Classic FM Live concert this week. South American pianist Gabriela Montero turned an iconic TV theme into a romantic and expansive piece of piano music - completely on the spot. You can listen to it here.

Gabriela Montero is known for being a stupendous pianist, but she’s also a truly gifted improviser.

One of her party-pieces is to take a theme suggested by the audience or the orchestra and turn it into a majestic piano piece. 

Our weekday presenter John Suchet set her a challenge - making up on the spot a piece of piano music featuring the much-loved Coronation Street theme. And she had to do it in front of an audience of 2,000, with millions listening along at home.

Listen to it now:

listen to ‘The Corrie theme as you've never heard it before’ on audioBoom

If you like what you heard, you can hear beautiful music from the world's finest players (like the amazing Gabriela Montero) every evening in Smooth Classics from 10pm on Classic FM.