David Helfgott celebrates new generation of pianists at Memorial Hall
Published on 31 March 2025
A defining moment will take place at the Memorial Hall on Sunday 13 April, as living legend and beloved Bellingen local David Helfgott OAM bridges the generations by ushering in the bright future of his legacy.
Audiences have the rare chance to enjoy the presence of the beloved pianist, whose global acclaim and remarkable career is immortalised by nine studio albums and an Academy Award-winning film. David will be shining the spotlight onto three young pianists who represent the bright future of musical talent.
Joe Barker, Mia Greyling and Joshua Walraven, aged between 16 and 17, boast exceptional skills including performance, composition and ensemble playing, plus a passion for music encompassing styles ranging from classical to jazz and beyond.
What’s more, another centrepiece will even further elevate the occasion: this new generation of performers will play on the Hall’s newly acquired and much-anticipated Kawai GX7 semi-concert grand piano, which caps off Bellingen Shire Council’s $9M upgrades to the Memorial Hall.
The young players’ performances will be book-ended with an appearance by local pianist Mei Wei Lim, a graduate of The Royal Academy of Music in London. For this very special concert, Mei will present works from different musical periods and genres, to showcase this wonderful new piano.
This event is co-curated by Annie Phelan, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor, Bellingen Youth Orchestra and Bellingen Memorial Hall Venue Coordinator, Phil Nicholas.
David’s career as an Australian virtuoso and prodigy spans six decades, during which he has captivated audiences and critics worldwide. He is known for his warm-hearted presence as a performer, who touches hearts of concertgoers of all ages.
“There’s no stagecraft about it – he’s just being generous about sharing his love and joy for music. When David plays a piece of music, he hands himself totally over to the music.”
Annie Phelan remarked, “The future of music lies in the hands of the young and it is very exciting that our local area has such amazing talent. Of course, their great inspiration is David Helfgott. How wonderful that these players now have a beautiful instrument to perform on.”
This special event is likely to sell out quickly, so advance bookings are strongly recommended. Book tickets at www.bellingenmemorialhall.com.au. Discounts are available to mailing list subscribers and under-18s may attend free of charge.
His late wife Gillian once described David’s emotional connection to his audiences in a past interview, saying: “There’s a beautiful childlike quality about him. He’s just wanting to trust and love everybody. Audiences feel this and respond to that beautiful openness.