Pianists to unite at Wesley
Neo-classical pianists Nat Bartsch and Luke Howard will visit Wesley of Warragul next month for their ‘Peaceful Piano’ tour.
On Sunday, September 4 at 5pm the longtime collaborators will each present a solo set, before uniting on stage to conclude the performance.
Bartsch and Howard began writing and composing in Melbourne’s jazz scene, however, both artists now work primarily in neoclassical music.
‘Peaceful Piano’ is the first time the ARIA nominated collaborators have performed together on stage and will see them blend classical composition, improvision and ambient electronics.
This is not the first time Bartsch has performed in Warragul, having previously performed her lullaby album, ‘Forever, and No Time At All’ at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
The album was written after her son was born and was influenced by music therapy. The album was intended to help babies fall asleep while being genuinely nice for adults to listen to.
Bartsch said the album confirmed in her mind that it doesn’t matter what she calls the type of music she creates, it is the intention behind of music that matters most.
“I came from a musical family... my mum was a primary school music teacher and my grandfather used to do the dance band circuit playing jazz,” she told The Gazette.
“But I was the first person to go and study it formally at uni.”
Although Bartsch studied classical music in school, she eventually decided to pursue a career as a jazz pianist.
“I graduated from the VCA jazz course in Melbourne and I went off into the world composing and performing jazz music with my trio.”
“Somehow along the way, I found myself returning to the classical work from which I’ve come
“I started writing these pieces that were a little bit more composed and less based around jazz improvisation.”
Bartsch is currently completing a Master’s degree and is still making jazz albums, however, she said she appreciates both classical and jazz music.
“In Jazz music, I love that every time you get on stage you don’t know what the outcome is going to sound like... and if you’re performing in a jazz ensemble it’s kind of like participating in a conversation with other musicians - so there’s this real thrill about that that I love.”
“But in the classical world, I love really being able to refine composition down to the exact notes that best represent what you had in mind... it can be a really enjoyable process
“Having said all that, my heart is full when I’m making music that bridges both of those worlds together.”
Despite having never before performed as a duo in concert Howard and Bartsch have worked together frequently over the years.
Nat releases music for both ABC Classic and ABC Jazz and is the first female instrumental artist to be nominated in both jazz and classical ARIA categories.
Howard has been nominated three times for an Australian Music Prize and his music has been streamed more than 50 million times across the world.
He is currently signed to UK label Mercury KX, and has collaborated with choreographers and theatre makers including the Birmingham Royal Ballett and Back to Back Theatre.
On April 29 Howard released his new album “All of Us”, inspired by Albert Camus’ classic book The Plague.
Bartsch said ‘Peaceful Piano’ will appeal to people from all walks of life who are drawn to the idea of “music created to calm and soothe your troubles”.
“People that like Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer or Max Richter... it basically sounds like a film score the whole time so if people are drawn to that type of stuff they should check it out,” she said.
Tickets are available via Trybooking https:// www.trybooking.com/CAZMV or they can be purchased at the door.
Prices are $30 for full and $27.50 for concession.