Garrick Ohlsson in recital
1 June 2023
Conservatorium Theatre, South Bank
Musica Viva Australia is delighted to present Garrick Ohlsson in recital, an exhilarating national tour opening in Brisbane and concluding in Perth, featuring one of the world’s finest pianists.
A native of White Plains, New York, Ohlsson has been described by critics as “a marvel of virtuosity” and a “titanic force at the keyboard”. In 2008, following two previous nominations, Ohlsson won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist for volume 3 of his ten-disc set of the complete Sonatas of Beethoven. Live recordings of his performances of Brahms concertos and Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphonies were released on their own recording labels.
Abruptly catapulted to international stardom after winning the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition at the age of 22, Ohlsson has since established himself as a leading exponent of Chopin’s music and has performed with the greatest orchestras of the world from the London Philharmonic to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Ohlsson’s recital tour will feature two programs with Romantic and Impressionist works; the Brisbane program will include by Liszt, Schubert, and Scriabin. Described by the composer as portraying the “passionate throes of the creative soul”, Scriabin’s music is the perfect match for Ohlsson’s sonorous and magisterial playing. Both programs will also feature a new work, Convocations, by emerging Australian composer and Melbourne-based music journalist, Thomas Misson.
Artistic Director Paul Kildea is excited to bring Ohlsson’s world-class virtuosity to a national audience.
“For over 50 years, Ohlsson has performed a phenomenal range of music from Mozart and Haydn to experimental 21st century works. With more than 80 concertos across the piano literature at his command, his performances are imbued with a sense of authority, humility, and a deep respect for his craft,” said Kildea.
“As his previous performances with us took place in late February 2020, before international lockdowns, his performances this year promise to be celebratory and restorative for us all. Pairing him with the young Australian composer Thomas Misson for a new work commissioned by Stephen Johns in honour of his wife Michelle’s birthday has been the icing on this rich, exquisite cake!” Kildea added.
For ticketing and further information, visit Musica Viva Australia’s website
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