Keys set to unlock the magic of Mozart

PIANIST Alexander Gavrylyuk will be the guest soloist at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra concerts conducted by Giordano Bellincampi in Launceston and Hobart next week.

Gavrylyuk was born in the Ukraine, lived in Australia for nine years from the age of 13, and is now based in the Netherlands.

He has long been a favourite with Tasmanian audiences and has performed with the TSO on many occasions during the past 12 years.

At next week’s concerts he will play one of his favourite pieces, Piano Concerto No.21, K467 by Mozart.

“For me, Mozart has always been a reflection of the human spirit,” Gavrylyuk said.

“His genius was in exposing the essence of the unconditional love that is the basis of our existence. His music reflects joy, as well as tragedy and sadness.”

He said the concerto was one of Mozart’s most popular.

“The orchestration and piano dialogue is organic,” Gavrylyuk said. “It resembles the human voice and is very much like an opera.

“It is probably the best representation of the greatness of Mozart’s music.”

He said the first movement was about harmony and the contrast between the minor and major.

The slow movement became widely known through its use in the film Elvira Madigan. “It’s like a prayer and is an unconditional and absolutely open flow of beauty, joy, love and truth,” Gavrylyuk said.

“Mozart liked to joke around, and the third movement is quite humorous”

The program will also include Baroque Song by contemporary French composer Thierry Escaich, and Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven.

The concerts are at the Princess Theatre in Launceston next Thursday (November 2) and at the Federation Concert Hall in Hobart next Saturday (November 4)

Both concerts start at 7.30pm. Tickets are from $32, available from tso.com.au.