International conductor and pianist Vladimir Fanshil is bringing his acclaimed Live at Yours program to Melbourne for the second concert in an ongoing series of world-class musicians performing in intimate yet majestic settings.
On Tuesday 1 August, virtuosic pianist and Gershwin aficionado, Simon Tedeschi, will perform timeless masterpieces of George Gershwin in the stunning Toorak Synagogue, which will be opened to the public for this exclusive event.
With three celebrated albums of Gershwin’s music and countless acclaimed performances of Rhapsody in Blue under his fingers, Tedeschi will present a suite of favourites including Rhapsody, Summertime, I Got Rhythm and more.
The program will also feature works from composers within Gershwin’s world including Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Debussy. Hailed as one of the most exciting voices in jazz today, trumpeter Matt Jodrel will make a guest appearance.
“I performed Gershwin with Larry Adler, who performed with Gershwin himself at a party. I was Larry’s last pianist – there were about seven decades between us,” said Simon Tedeschi.
“Rhapsody in Blue also connects me to another wonderful musician, the conductor, impresario, arranger and survivor Tommy Tycho, with whom I first performed Rhapsody in Blue.”
He describes Gershwin’s music as a clashing of ideals, a syzygy of styles, from Grieg, Rachmaninoff, Klezmer and the Viennese School to the blues, jazz and Latin music.
“Gershwin is the exemplar of an American composer, and I can’t wait to come to Melbourne to share with audiences a musical icon who has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Tedeschi.
“I’m particularly looking forward to experiencing the acoustics of the Toorak Synagogue and the beautiful space that will certainly enhance the experience.”
An innovative Australian conductor, pianist and concert curator, Fanshil says he built the Gershwin and Me experience around the location, purposefully selecting a Jewish musician, composer and venue.
“When we launched the series in Melbourne in May, cellist Umberto Clerici said the Toorak Synagogue has possibly the best acoustic he’d heard anywhere in Australia. It was a unique and wonderful experience under the incredible Byzantine dome,” said Mr Fanshil.
“We have now secured exclusive access to share our musical experiences at the Synagogue. It will be a rare treat to hear the virtuosic Simon Tedeschi up close and personal in an evening dedicated to Gershwin.”
The Gershwin and Me concert is the second in this 2023 series. The next Live at Yours concert at the Synagogue, on 9 November, will feature Ukrainian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk. The 2024 series will be released at the event with a line-up of Australia’s finest artists scheduled to appear at the Toorak Synagogue.
“I just wish Gershwin were here – [Simon is] the best exponent of his music I have ever seen.” – Larry Adler
Gershwin and Me featuring Simon Tedeschi
Toorak Synagogue, Corner Toorak and St Kilda Roads, South Yarra
Performance: Tuesday 1 August 2023 – 7.00pm
Bookings: www.eventbrite.com.au
For more information about Simon Tedeschi, visit: www.simontedeschi.com for details.
Image: Simon Tedeschi – photo by Keith Saunders