Professor of Piano Yekaterina Lebedeva will return to the Lord Mayor’s Show this November, performing live on a moving float in one of London’s most celebrated events.
On Saturday 14 November 2026, Yekaterina Lebedeva, Professor of Piano at Trinity Laban, will perform as a solo pianist in the historic Lord Mayor’s Show. Performing on a full acoustic grand piano supplied by Markson Pianos, Yekaterina will appear on the moving Pollinating London Together (PLT) eco-themed float as it travels through central London.
The annual parade attracts more than half a million spectators and is broadcast live on BBC One, bringing one of the City of London’s oldest traditions to audiences across the UK. The Lord Mayor’s Show dates to the early 13th century and brings together Londoner’s from all walks of life to celebrate the city.
Having taken part in the show last year, Yekaterina returns with a new artistic vision for this year’s performance. Drawing on the practical and acoustic insights gained from performing on a moving float in 2025, she has curated a programme that responds to the structural rhythm and momentum of a moving procession.
Yekaterina said: “I’ve always dreamed of taking classical music out of its academic bubble and out to people in the streets. I was convinced that everyone could love classical music if you swapped the traditional recital room for a flatbed truck and take it around London, adapting traditional performance to make it public art. On top of that, the performance will be broadcast live to millions nationwide on BBC One which is amazing! Having performed in the Lord Mayor’s Show last year, I am very much looking forward to the amazing atmosphere of public celebration and the great energy that people emanate. Classical musicians rarely experience that on such a scale.
I will be performing on a float put together by Pollinating London Together, their Chairman, John Burton, kindly asked me to represent the charity for a second time because he also believes that classical music can amplify the vital ecological message of urban biodiversity. Pollinating is not just about flowers and insects, it is about educating minds and bringing awareness which is similar to my academic role.
We are collaborating for the second time with Marksons Pianos, a historic family run piano business in the heart of London. Particular thanks also go to Brett Transport and Joseph Rochford Gardens who provide transport and foliage for free as well as Kirk Coachworks, Present Communications and Shaftsberries Flowers.”