Pianist Angela Hewitt performs Bach’s work

Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt is something of a rock star in her field. Acclaimed as one of the world’s great pianists, she has embarked on a global Bach odyssey, touring the world performing the baroque composer’s complete solo keyboard works.

Tonight she performs in Hobart with a recital that matches Bach with pieces by Scarlatti, Ravel and Chabrier, highlighting her celebrated interpretation of this music.

Hewitt’s father was a church organist in Ottawa, which she says was the root of her love of Bach’s music, as well as the inspiration for her becoming proficient in piano.

“My father was a great interpreter of Bach and right from the beginning I was attracted to every aspect of Bach’s music, from the rhythm and the music through to the dancing and even the church architecture,” she says.

“Whether you’re religious or not, you need to realise that Bach’s music was all composed as an expression of his faith, to the glory of God – even his secular dance music was written to refresh the spirits in dedication to God.

“So to really play it successfully you need to have that in mind. And learning to play Bach’s keyboard pieces has always been part of the grounding for learning to play the piano, so it is something I’ve been learning ever since I was very young.”

For her Hobart program, Hewitt has focused on highlighting the connections between Bach and three other composers. “All the other composers are composers I adore and they also have links to Bach,” she says.

“Scarlatti, for example, was born in the same year as Bach, 1685, even though they lived in completely different worlds. Ravel loved Scarlatti’s work and, in turn, Chabrier was a big influence on Ravel, so I see a real interconnectedness there.”

Angela Hewitt in Recital is presented by Musica Viva Tasmania in association with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Tonight, at 7.30pm, at the Federation Concert Hall, Hobart. Tickets priced from $25. tso.com.au