Bridging Generations: The Helfgott Legacy

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.

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 landmark concert is likely to sell out quickly, so advance bookings are strongly recommended.

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• BMH mailing list-only price: $34.50
• General Admission: $39.50
• 18 to 25 y.o. and First Nations: $24.50
• Under 18s: free of charge (bookings essential)

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Join the BMH mailing list to access the reduced General Admission ticket offer.

Doors open 30 mins prior to showtime.

Memorial Hall is fully accessible, including lift access from the carpark.