RENOWNED pianist and this year’s artistic director of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia, Piers Lane AO, brings his talent to the Hastings on Tuesday.
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Lane, who has never been to Port Macquarie, will perform Chopin by Candlelight at the Glasshouse at 7.30pm.
Although he grew up in Brisbane he has lived mostly in the UK for the past 37 years.
His childhood was very musical with his English father a director of studies at the Conservatorium and his Australian born mother a piano teacher.
Chopin is one of his favourite composers because of the way “he communicates with every human being through his music”.
“[Chopin] He highlights the singing quality of the piano,” Lane says.
The pieces he has chosen to play in the concert follow the short lifespan of Chopin.
“I will perform three of his early works, some from the middle and some from later in his life, which was cut short at age 39.”
Lane says there will be a mix of well known pieces that will “lead the ear from one to another”.
There will be no break between pieces.
“I talk at the beginning, and then I play for 45 minutes, then there is an interval and then I play for another 40 minutes.”
Lane is driving to many of the venues on his tour and is looking forward to meeting people after each concert.
“They will often tell me of their experiences with the piano, or particular pieces of music I play.”
In response to being asked about the future of classical music Lane says he can’t see it disappearing.
“Music changes people’s lives. There are currently millions of people in China learning piano. It is certainly not going to be lost.”
He says it worries him a little that in Australia and England piano is not taught much in schools.
“It has been shown that learning an instrument teaches students different skills.
“There is no doubt the arts are fundamental to human beings.”