As a kid, Simon Tedeschi was so focused on mastering the piano that he once rolled up to school in his PJs.
Now, having evolved from child prodigy to classical superstar, the formally attired concert pianist is often described by respected critics and musical peers as “one of the finest artists in the world”, and in a stunning coup returns to perform for Music By The Sea on Saturday 6 June.
Sandgate’s 102 year old heritage listed Federation style Town Hall is renowned for its excellent acoustics and will provide a gracious backdrop for the concert starting at 7.30pm.
And those attending will be privy to the same musical majesty enjoyed by audiences that have included Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark, Vladimir Putin, George W Bush, Nelson Mandella and the Dalai Lama.
The book of his life is an interesting read – metaphorically speaking – with Tedeschi giving his debut performance of a Mozart Piano Concerto at the Sydney Opera House when he was nine, playing for Pavarotti at 13, lauded as an international award-winning concert pianist since he was 18, and currently signed at the top end to Sony Music Australia.
You may have even spotted him hanging about, the subject of Cherry Hood’s 2002 Archibald prize winning painting titled ‘Simon Tedeschi Unplugged’.
He said, “I get so excited to be doing this for a living – because I have the honour of touching creation. I get inspiration from every where – not just museums and concert halls. I might get inspired by a film, an animal or even a car. For instance, I am inspired to create macabre darkness in Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto by watching ‘A Clockwork Orange’ or literally see the permutations of a fugue by watching the sinewy ‘Don’t Look Now’. I’ve even been known to be inspired by some of John Water’s older films – but that’s another story.”
Meanwhile, in yet another chapter Simon performs to a different beat, engaging in one of his non-musical passions as Official Patron of charitable organisation Microloan Australia. The aim of the Foundation is to help the poor help themselves to eradicate poverty by providing small loans to groups of women in sub Saharan Africa.
“As someone who is not an economist, it struck me as being very pragmatic and common sense,” he said.
He would like to see more classical musicians adopt a socially engaged focus.
“Music is not divorced from the social context in which it operates, he said.”
Tickets: Adult $35 – Concession $30 – Youth under 18 FREE.
We feel that this concert should be seen by young people, so we have FREE entry for youth under 18 years of age.
For program and booking details: musicbythesea.com.au.
