Montville venue mimics classical intimacy of days gone by, says pianist
Piers Lane .. “I really enjoy more intimate music-making.”
World famous pianist Piers Lane is relishing the chance to perform at Lucas Parklands in Montville, describing the intimate concert venue as “the way composers like Beethoven and Chopin experienced it themselves”.
Mr Lane is performing two concerts at the peaceful 150-seat bushland auditorium on May 29 and 30.
“I visited Lucas Parklands quite a few years ago as an audience member and loved the whole concept,” Mr Lane said from his home in London. “I really enjoy more intimate music-making. Most solo piano music was composed for the salon situation rather than the huge venues it is usually performed in, so it’s always special to explore it and share it the way composers like Beethoven and Chopin experienced it themselves.”
The Piers Lane recital on May 29 will be unique: an hour of beautiful Chopin Nocturnes, presented at twilight in a room lit by candlelight alone. The second concert on May 30 is a 2.30pm matinee where Mr Lane will present two Beethoven sonatas followed by all the Chopin Waltzes.
Mr Lane has had his performances disrupted badly by Covid-19 and the associated travel restrictions, but that will change with his local concerts.
“I haven’t given a solo performance since the Wigmore Hall in London on March 15th last year — every scheduled concert and recording was cancelled for one Covid reason or another, bar three or so postponed performances with my longterm duo partner, the now-retired British violinist Tasmin Little,” Mr Lane said.
“The situation in Europe and the States is still pretty dire, so it’s a real privilege that I, as an Australian, can return to playing in this way.
“I’m delighted, as always, to be coming ‘home’, catching up with friends in audiences everywhere, and spending a bit of time in places I have loved all my life,” he said.
“I was last in Brisbane in 2019, but haven’t been to the Sunshine Coast for a few years. We used to spend family holidays at Peregian when I was growing up, so that whole coastline is full of memories for me.
• Mr Lane will perform at the Lucas Parklands concert hall, at Montville on May 29, 30. For tickets phone 0409 623 228 or 5478 5667 or email: lucasparklands@bigpond.com. Info: lucasparklands.com.au
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