Anna Lapwood Turns Exhausting 11 P.M. Rehearsal Into Heartwarming Late-Night Concert for Elbphilharmonie Crew Member
HAMBURG — Renowned British organist and conductor Anna Lapwood has captured hearts once again, sharing a touching story about how a weary overnight rehearsal at Hamburg’s famous Elbphilharmonie turned into a deeply personal, unforgettable moment.
Exhaustion at 11 P.M.
Faced with an arduous rehearsal schedule spanning from 11:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., Lapwood admitted she initially struggled to find the energy for the overnight session.
“I’ll be honest with you: I was NOT in the mood for an overnight rehearsal last night. I had a rehearsal 11pm–4:30am and I just wanted to sleep,” Lapwood shared.
However, the tone of the grueling midnight practice completely shifted when she met Jonas, a dedicated member of the Elbphilharmonie backstage crew.
A Dream Years in the Making
Jonas revealed to Lapwood that he had been eagerly waiting years for her to perform at the venue so he could finally listen to her practice in person. Touched by his enthusiasm, Lapwood welcomed him into the vast, empty concert hall, where Jonas stayed for about 90 minutes to enjoy her performance.
Upon learning that his favorite piece was John Powell’s thrilling score “Test Drive” (from How to Train Your Dragon), Lapwood paused her planned practice itinerary. She spent time setting up the organ’s complex registration specifically so she could play the piece just for him in the quiet, echoing hall.
[Late-Night Elbphilharmonie Timeline]
├── 11:00 PM – Rehearsal begins; Anna feels exhausted and longs for sleep.
├── Midnight – Anna meets Jonas, a backstage crew member waiting years to hear her play.
├── 12:15 AM – Jonas stays for 90 minutes to listen to the rehearsal.
└── 01:00 AM – Anna pauses her setlist to prepare and play "Test Drive" just for Jonas.
The Power of Music Beyond the Stage
The heartwarming interaction highlights Lapwood’s unique ability to connect with audiences—whether in a sold-out arena or a near-empty hall in the dead of night. For Jonas, a long-awaited dream came true; for Lapwood, an exhausting shift turned into a powerful reminder of why she plays.
@annalapwoodorgan This is a long video, but I think it’s worth it to be reminded of how important music can be for unlocking us and helping us feel what we need to feel. Things can be HARD. But sometimes music brings us together for the right conversation at the right time ❤️ thank you to Jonas for letting me share this in the hope that it might remind anyone struggling that they’re not broken, they’re not wrong, they’re not alone, and sometimes music might help ❤️ #organtok #elbphilharmonie #mentalhealth #overnightrehearsal #midnightsessions ♬ original sound – Anna Lapwood | Organist