In a borough of the Canadian city of Montreal called Plateau-Mont-Royal, you might just come across a random piano out in public.

The pianos are creatively painted by a variety of artists and made available to any passersby that want to use them any day of the week (good weather permitting, of course).

While 2019 was the 6th year of the project, there won’t be such a project in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

But luckily, we have videos from some of the impromptu street performances of the past to tide us over. For example, one by piano student Ariane Racicot back in 2013.

But her performance is unlike any other. First of all, she’s an amazing pianist!

Second, there was videography and the clip of her playing was well produced, so we get a variety of angles on the scene, which keeps things interesting. It was directed by her friend Luc Delorme.

However, the real reason we watched this video more than once – and we suspect at last some of the 17 million views are repeats as well – is that we just can’t get enough of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

As it turns out, many of the people in town day were equally rapt with the melody and the passionate performance.

Isn’t music wonderful?

The 1975 Queen masterpiece (yes, we said masterpiece) is one of rock’s greatest – and trickiest – songs to perform.

While Racicort doesn’t do any vocals, just a few seconds of listening to her at the keys will give you a keen appreciation for how much talent this kind of effort involves.

Because it was originally three songs in the mind of Freddie Mercury, it’s incredibly hard to cover on just one instrument.

Starting off with eerie vocals before going into a piano solo AND a guitar solo, there’s even an acapella and an operatic interlude.

The song is mostly in 4/4 meter but is played in the keys of B-flat major, E-flat major, A major, AND F major.

It’s hard work!

But it’s a very recognizable tune and even those who aren’t terribly familiar with it know at least a small part since it changes so radically in style and tempo throughout.

If no one is singing you’d at least expect someone to be jamming along – but no!

C’mon, Canada, we know you can rock out!

Then again, Montreal is the city that gave us Celine Dion, so maybe “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a little too prog-rock for this crowd.

Nevertheless, dozens of people gathered around to appreciate Racicot’s artistry.

What’s even more impressive is that the piano is open to the elements (which happen to just be sun and wind) so it’s nearly impossible to keep in tune. And of course commenters pointed that out. That’s what commenters do.

“I bet she cringes every time the key was off. Not her fault though. Really want to see her play this on a well-tuned piano. The energy was perfect. Loved how she felt the music.”

But one commenter had the perfect reply:

“Where else in this world would you find a piano at the ready, a venue offering a breathtaking view of Montreal, a spontaneous pianist regaling her talent for all to enjoy what has recently become one of the most iconic songs ever produced. Note to the critics of piano tuning: place yourself in the weathered elements of the donated instrument, let us see how well you will perform in a parallel environment, that piano may not meet your expectations, but at least it was an integral element purveying joy of that spontaneous few minutes..”

Be sure to scroll down below to see Racicot rock Montreal.

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Source: Pianos publics de Montréal via Facebook, Ville de Montreal, Ariane Racicot via YouTube