OBSERVER: Keys To Life, Two Friends, Two Pianos
Australian-British pianist Jayson Gillham returns to Australian stages, welcoming his close friend and fellow pianist Iyad Sughayer for his Australian recital debut.
Keys to Life – Two Friends, Two Pianos brings two world-class pianists to four Australian cities during July in a national recital tour to lift spirits and remind us of our shared humanity.
The Melbourne performance will be on Sunday, July 19 at 5pm at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre.
Gillham is self-presenting this tour independently, continuing his commitment to artistic integrity and bringing world-class music directly to Australian audiences.
Sughayer is a Palestinian-Jordanian pianist based in the UK whose playing has captivated audiences across Europe, the Middle East, Colombia and North America.
Recognised as Classic FM’s 2022 Rising Star, a YCAT Artist and BIS recording artist, the Keys to Life Australian tour marks a significant milestone in his fast-rising international career.
The program features a colourful and vibrant selection of works by Mozart, Debussy, Ravel, Khachaturian, Arensky and Chabrier, alongside the premiere of a new commission by Palestinian-Lebanese composer Houtaf Khoury.
It is brought to life as a musical conversation built on deep listening, trust and the sheer pleasure of two friends playing together.
Jayson Gillham has been looking forward to this tour for a long time. “Iyad and I share a vision of what music can do, not just as a performance, but as an act of connection. To bring him to Australian audiences for the first time, in a program this rich and this alive, feels like exactly the kind of thing I want to be doing. I can’t wait to experience it together with everyone.”
Iyad Sughayer has always wanted to bring his music to Australia. “To make my debut here alongside Jayson, with a program that means so much to both of us, is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This music speaks to something we all share and I hope audiences feel that from the first note.”
Melbourne performance: Sunday July 19 at 5pm
Venue: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre.
Bookings: melbournerecital.com.au
Ben Starick with Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Pianists Jayson Gillham and Iyad Sughayer present Keys to Life – Two Friends – Two Pianos.
Photo: Bruce Marshall