Internationally celebrated concert pianist Roger Woodward is returning to our shores for a series of recitals.
For his latest tour, he has selected a program of Chopin’s Etudes and Nocturnes and the ethereal preludes of Debussy.
The program also includes the poetic L’isle Joyeuse – an extended solo piano piece by Debussy composed in 1904 and considered one of the most beautiful piano compositions of the 20th century.
Drawn to the piano from the age of two, Roger studied music in Warsaw during the Cold War and wrote a book about his journey to international success called Beyond Black and White: My Life in Music.
The 75-year-old has worked with the most celebrated musicians, conductors and orchestras including the Leipzig Gewandhaus and the New York, Los Angeles and Beijing Philharmonics in a career that has spanned nearly six decades in all corners of the globe.
Born in Sydney in 1942, Roger has also been named as a National Living Treasure by the Australian National Trust.
In 1964 he won a competition now known as the ABC's Young Performer of the Year Award, beating David Helfgott.
He is also a companion of the Order of Australia, Commander of the Polish Order of Merit, recipient of the Chevalier dans l’ordre des art et des lettres in France, the Goethe Prize in Germany and the Gloria Artis (Gold Class) in Poland.
In addition to the concerts, Roger will also be appearing on August 17 for a special Meet and Chat with Richard Glover at Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre in Nowra.
Roger Woodward’s tour dates
- Prince of Wales Opera House, Gulgong, Jul 27, 7.30pm. Phone (02) 6374 2199, gulgongmads.com.au
- Blue Mountains Theatre, Springwood, July 28, 7.30pm. Phone (02) 4723 5050, bluemountainstheatreandhub.com.au
- Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin, August 2, 8.00pm. Phone (08) 8980 3333 yourcentre.com.au
- Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs, August 10, 8.00pm. Phone (08) 8951 1122 araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au
- Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, Sunday 12 August, 2pm. Phone (02) 8839-3399, riversideparramatta.com.au
- Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra, Meet and Greet with Richard Glover, August 17, 11am; recital August 18, 2pm. Phone 1300 788 503, shoalhavenentertainment.com.au