'In this remarkable memoir, Anna Goldsworthy recalls her first steps towards a life in music, from childhood piano lessons with a local jazz muso to international success as a concert pianist. As she discovers passion and ambition, and confronts doubt and disappointment, she learns about much more than tone and technique. This is a story of the getting of wisdom, tender and bittersweet.
'With wit and affection, Goldsworthy captures the hopes and uncertainties of youth, the fear and exhilaration of performing, and the complex bonds between teacher and student. An unforgettable cast of characters joins her: her family; her friends and rivals; and her teacher, Mrs Sivan, who inspires and challenges her in equal measure, and who transforms what seems an impossible dream into something real and sustaining.' (From the publisher's website.)
'"Piano Lessons" will take the audience inside a musician's journey through a unique real-life performance. Concert pianist Anna Goldsworthy's deeply-felt memoir Piano Lessons comes to glorious musical life in this Queensland Music Festival world premiere. Goldsworthy's award-winning book, which recounts her musical awakening as a young girl, struck a deep chord with critics, readers and music lovers on its 2009 release.
Goldsworthy herself stars in the stage adaptation, which, like the book, elegantly illustrates the intriguing relationship between the young pianist and her Russian teacher. This charismatic enigma inspires and challenges her young charge in equal measure as they work through a program of sublime piano pieces, including selections from Mozart, Liszt and Chopin.
Part theatrical production and part concert, "Piano Lessons' will provide insight into the lives and inspirations of the great masters to expose the process of learning, interpreting and creating music.' Source: http://qmf.org.au/ (Sighted 17/06/2011).
