Anna Lapwood’s 9,999-Pipe Organ Masterclass Proved That Great Musicians Don’t Just Perform—They Inspire
Most people look at a giant pipe organ and think exactly the same thing.
“It looks impossibly complicated.”
Thousands of pipes.
Several keyboards.
An entire pedalboard played with both feet.
Hundreds of stops.
For many, it seems less like an instrument and more like the cockpit of an aircraft.
Then Anna Lapwood sits down beside it…
…and suddenly it feels wonderfully approachable.
That is exactly what happened during Classic FM’s masterclass with Myleene Klass, where Anna introduced one of the world’s most magnificent pipe organs—an extraordinary instrument with 9,999 pipes—to audiences who may never have stood beside one before.
The masterclass quickly becomes something far more enjoyable than a technical lesson.
It becomes a conversation.
Myleene asks the same questions many viewers have always wondered about: How does this enormous instrument actually work? How do you know which button to press? How do your hands and feet do completely different things at the same time?
Anna answers every question with the same combination of expertise, enthusiasm, and humour that has made her one of the most beloved musicians on social media.
Rather than overwhelming viewers with complicated terminology, she breaks everything down into simple, fascinating ideas.
Every stop has a purpose.
Every pipe has its own voice.
Every sound tells part of the story.
Watching her explain the instrument is almost as captivating as hearing her play it.
That may be Anna Lapwood’s greatest gift.
She removes fear.
For decades, the pipe organ has carried an image of being mysterious and inaccessible. Anna dismantles that perception within minutes. She laughs, demonstrates, experiments, and invites curiosity rather than expecting prior knowledge.
Suddenly, the world’s largest keyboard instrument doesn’t seem intimidating anymore.
It seems exciting.
Of course, the musical demonstrations are breathtaking.
As Anna begins to reveal what 9,999 pipes can actually do, the instrument transforms before our eyes. Gentle whispers become towering walls of sound. Delicate melodies grow into orchestral explosions that seem to shake the entire building.
Yet perhaps the most memorable moments aren’t the loudest ones.
They’re the expressions on Myleene Klass’s face.
Like so many first-time listeners, she reacts with genuine amazement as the organ reveals colours and textures she never expected. Her sense of wonder mirrors exactly what audiences at home are feeling.
It’s impossible not to smile along with her.
The chemistry between the two presenters makes the entire masterclass feel wonderfully natural. There is no sense of formal instruction or distant expertise. Instead, it feels like one friend excitedly introducing another to something she absolutely loves.
That excitement becomes infectious.
By the end of the programme, viewers have learned about mechanics, acoustics, coordination, history, and musical expression almost without realising it.
That is the mark of a truly gifted teacher.
Anna Lapwood has never wanted people to admire the organ from a distance.
She wants them to fall in love with it.
And if this masterclass proves anything, it’s that she continues to succeed.
One conversation.
One incredible instrument.
And countless people discovering that the “king of instruments” isn’t nearly as intimidating as they once believed.
Thanks to Anna Lapwood, it simply feels magical.