Couriermail.com.au
27th Jan 2008
Douglas Kennedy
PIANIST Melvyn Tan is happy to be returning to Australia for another series of concerts with one of his favourite ensembles, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and $10 million music man Richard Tognetti.
Brisbane music lovers will be in for a double treat when Tan teams up with the ACO for a one-off concert at the Queensland Performing Arts Concert Hall on February 11.
The pianist will play what he describes as one of Mozart's happiest pieces, the Piano Concerto No. 19, while the brilliant Tognetti will showcase his on-loan 1743 Giuseppe Guameri del Gesu Carrodus violin.
The instrument made headlines last year when it was revealed that the Guaneri -- made 13 years before Mozart's birth and valued at $10 million -- had been lent to Tognetti by an anonymous Australian music lover and benefactor.
Tan says while audiences will be curious to see how that relationship has developed, he will be content to play with the ACO ensemble that has embraced him as a musician and friend since the early 1980s.
"It's a wonderful feeling playing with these people as they have so much respect for their guest musicians and the atmosphere is always so good with them," Tan says.
"Playing one of Mozart's happy pieces will be a bonus. I have been to Australia five or six times and played with the ACO about four or five times. It's always a good experience."
Tan, who was born in Singapore but has been resident in Britain since 1978, is still taking his music to the world with concerts scheduled throughout the year, starting with the national ACO tour.
The pianist, who turned 50 last year and is also known for playing the fortepiano in the BBC TV highly acclaimed dramatisation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, will be taking part in a mixed program.
The concert will also feature Haydn's Symphony No. 47, Roger Smalley's 1988 work Strung Out and Schubert's String Quartet No. 15.
The concert tour will travel through most Australian states before Tan heads back to Europe for more concerts.
The ACO and guest pianist Melvyn Tan will perform at the Brisbane Concert Hall, QPAC, on February 11.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23108120-5003423,00.html
