World-class cellist back on home turf to play in Montville

by Richard Bruinsma

World-recognised cellist Sam Lucas is arriving back in Montville this month to catch up with his family, but to also host local concerts in preparation for a prestigious competition of the world’s elite cellists.

Sam grew up in Montville, attending Montville Primary School, but is today based in Germany, where he has a recording contract and studies at the Robert Schumann Conservatorium, Dusseldorf.

He is this year a finalist in the Queen Elisabeth International Cello Competition, which is the biggest competition of its kind in the world this year, patronaged by the Belgium Royal Family, with a grand prize of 25,000 Euros plus worldwide  concert engagements.

Sam is the only Australian finalist at the event, open to the world’s 50 leading cellists aged under 32, selected from 350-plus applicants to be held in Brussels from May to June. 

Former Montville boy and now elite cellist Sam Lucas is preparing to compete against the world’s best. 

For one performance on February 25, Sam will be accompanied by pianist Berta Brozgul.

Sam in his Montville State School days.

“It’s the most prestigious global competition - it gets incredible attention from the Belgium public and royalty, Europe’s classical music elite and is televised and widely publicised by the Belgium and European media - and all entrants are challenged to perform at a flawless high standard,” Ian Lucas, of Lucas Parklands, Montville, said.

“As his father, I’m proud and excited, but music lovers here on the Sunshine Coast have that to look forward to as well.”

Covid-19 meant Sam last visited home in 2019 and hasn’t seen his family since January 2020. But while here catching up with loved ones, he will perform local concerts at the prestigious Lucas Parklands auditorium, Montville, and will treat local music lovers and help fine-tune his performance program for the Brussels finals.

“Sam is returning to Montville, where it began for him, which is exciting for our family, but it’s also wonderful for his friends and lovers of classical music who have a rare chance to see him perform his complex and demanding repertoire specifically designed for the Queen Elisabeth event,” Ian Lucas explained.

“To be named finalist in such a prestigious event is a wonderful achievement, it marks the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication, and is a real credit to his talent and commitment.”

Sam first played cello at the recommendation of a teacher at Montville State Primary School, at a time when the rest of his family was learning piano.  His love for the instrument grew and developed. His path to his professional career in Europe began during his senior year, when he became the first Australian awarded the prestigious Sir Edmund Hilary Scholarship, which took him to the University of Waikato. Soon after, he was selected from all New Zealand tertiary students to perform for Prince William and Princess Katherine during their Royal Tour.

It was in New Zealand that Sam was invited to audition for the cello class of Pieter Wispelwey of the Robert Schumann Conservatorium. Sam was accepted and Pieter remains his teacher today.

For one of his local performances, on February 25, Sam will be accompanied by South African-born pianist Berta Brozgul, who joins the list of accomplished musicians to feature at Lucas Parklands. She appears thanks to the strong personal recommendations of internationally-renown Australian pianist Piers Lane.

Miss Brozgul was born in Cape Town, studied in Salzburg in Austria, and at Australia’s National Academy of Music in Melbourne. She has performed throughout Australia, including with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Lucas Parklands is set on a 30-acre property just outside Montville.  The property features the performance hall, which is adjacent to the main residence and guest suites. Much of the hidden property is undisturbed rainforest, which sits adjacent to the Kondalilla National Park. The manicured lawns and bushland surroundings lend itself to a unique natural and relaxed atmosphere.

For performance and ticketing enquiries, phone 07 5478 5667 or 0409 623 228. Due to Covid-19 physical distancing guidelines, seating for the concerts will be limited.