Afternoon Tea Concert Cruise - Noriko Ogawa, piano
A luxurious afternoon tea cruise with a spectacular piano recital aboard The Piano Boat 'Rachmaninov'.
Beautiful music and an experience for every occasion in the world's most intimate concert hall
Please note that access to the boat is via a set of 12 steps from the road to the canal. There are 3 steps down into the boat after boarding, the first of which is quite steep. There is a handrail both for the canal-side steps, and the boat steps.
Enjoy the tranquility of the canals, and elegant afternoon tea, and a carefully crafted classical piano recital in your own exclusive environment. The Piano Boat 'Rachmaninov' will be your venue - a unique floating concert hall opened in 2021, and designed specifically for musical gatherings, holidays and events.
'An incredibly unique experience like no other. Cruising aboard the majestic Piano boat, serenaded by a world class pianist and served 5* canapés with champagne - perfect in every way.'
- Review on Tripadvisor, May 2025
The Piano Boat is host to a brand-new Steinway Model A grand piano, ensuring you always the finest musical experience.
We only take 10 guests each cruise, so you will never feel over-crowded.
12:45 | Boarding
13:00 | Welcome drink and departure
17:00 | Return to base and disembarkation
After departure, we will cruise for approximately half an hour before mooring up in a quiet spot under the trees for the recital. Enjoy select classical favourites, and perhaps be introduced to some previously-unheard gems. Your performer of the day will personally guide you through the programme, and the musical element of the afternoon will last 45-60 minutes.
Slowly cruising back to base, enjoy a handmade afternoon tea prepared on board and Champagne for the return journey.
The Pianist - Noriko Ogawa
Noriko Ogawa has achieved considerable renown throughout the world since her success at the Leeds International Piano Competition. Noriko’s “ravishingly poetic playing” (Telegraph) sets her apart from her contemporaries and acclaim for her complete Debussy series with BIS Records, confirms her as a fine Debussy specialist. Her Images Book I and II were chosen as the top recommendation ‘exquisite delicacy’, BBC Radio 3’s CD Review, January 2014. Noriko’s latest recording for BIS records is of solo piano music by Eric Satie.
Noriko appears with all the major European, Japanese and US orchestras including the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, as well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of Richard Dubugnon’s Piano Concerto. Noriko made her BBC Proms debut in August 2013 and appeared again in 2014 with the Endymion Ensemble. She was the Artistic Director for the Reflections on Debussy Festival 2012 at Bridgewater Hall. In 2015 she continued as Associate Artist for Ravel and Rachmaninov Festival.
As a recitalist and chamber musician, with her piano duet partner Kathryn Stott, Noriko has performed Malcolm Arnold’s Concerto for Two Pianos at the 2013 BBC Proms.
Noriko regularly judges the BBC Young Musician, Munich International Piano Competition, Honens International Piano Competition and the Scottish International Piano Competition. Noriko has been appointed as Chairperson of the Jury for Japan’s prestigious 10th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in 2018.
Noriko’s Japanese translation of Susan Tomes’s book Out of Silence – a pianist’s yearbook has been reprinted due to popular demand.
Noriko is passionate about charity work, after the tsunami in Japan in 2011, she has raised over £40,000 for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Fund. Noriko founded Jamie’s Concerts a series for autistic children and parents and is a Cultural Ambassador for the National Autistic Society.
Noriko is a professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The Chef - Rhiana Tayama
A Leith's-trained chef, Rhiana does all the catering for cruises single-handedly and on board. Everything is made from scratch using fresh ingredients, and the quality of her afternoon teas has been reviewed as being 'better than any of the major London hotels'.
'The boat is beautifully fitted, the tea was the best I have had in a long time (rivals Claridges or any London venue). Masa and Rhiana were perfect hosts, made us feel very welcomed.'
'...the afternoon tea was up there with the best I’ve ever had...'
'From start to finish it was an absolute delight! Rhiana and Masayuki skilfully segued from immaculate, delicious hosting (excellent, home-made afternoon tea lavished on each member of the audience with superb care and attention to detail), to a stunning and brilliant performance on the piano from Masayuki, to steering and managing the boat...Multi-talented, lovely people. We can not recommend the whole experience enough and are already thinking about who we can gift it to! Rhiana and Masayuki thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon that we will remember fondly always.'
Meeting point
NEAR: The River Garden, Moorhall Road, Harefield, Uxbridge, UB9 6PE
Please ensure you are at the meeting point between 12:30 and 12:45. We regret that we are unable to wait for guests not arriving by the designated time.
Parking is available on the roadside (non-restricted), and you will receive full details including a map ahead of your booked cruise date. The nearest underground stations are Uxbridge and Northwood, then a bus or taxi will take you to the meeting point.
The Piano Boat cannot take responsibility for your vehicle or possessions, so please ensure you do not leave any valuables in the car.
Please note that access to the boat is not step-free and unfortunately is not suitable for wheelchairs.