Who is Coady Green?
I’m an Australian concert pianist, curator and music educator.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I’d encourage more interdisciplinary work between music and theatre, visual and performative art.
Who inspires you and why?
Bartók, Messiaen, Miranda Hill, Linda Kouvaras, Anton Rubinstein, Deborah Cheetham, Dr Allen Green, Martha Argerich, Peter Feuchtwanger, Nelson Freire, William Barton, Katy Abbott, Rameau, Alyson Campbell, Yvonne Loriod, Graham Williams, Karen van Spall, Fleur Green, Stuart Greenbaum, Couperin, Ross Edwards, J.S. Bach & Sons, Ian Holtham, Shostakovich, Justin Kenealy, Prokofiev, Grieg, always Clara & Robert Schumann, Divisi Chamber Singers… and most horror movie directors, from James Whale to Dario Argento to John Carpenter to Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark!) Good horror movies are a reflection of our (mostly men’s) fears and if we look closely they can teach us about human relations (Carol Clover). Musicians show us what we can hear about ourselves in a similar way. And Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
71 countries in this world criminalize homosexuality, and there is a dangerous wave of transphobia exploding into our lives globally. I’ll do anything I can to contribute to an education for people in order for them to better celebrate human diversity. If I can also contribute in any way to environmental causes, I’ll be happy. We are all on this planet, and we all need to love each other.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Venice – I adore this city and can get lost finding art I’ve read about but not yet seen… but also Florence is the same…
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
This is easy – for theatre and music – fortyfivedownstairs at 45 Flinders Lane, Tempo Rubato in Brunswick and MC Showroom in South Yarra, Melbourne Recital Centre in Southbank.
What are you currently reading?
Joe Harkness: Bird Therapy; Marian Wilkinson: The Carbon Club; Alan Jones: Dario Argento – The Man, the Myths and the Magic.
What are you currently listening to?
Ross Edwards: Full Moon Dances.
Happiness is?
Scriabin in the Himalayas.
What does the future hold for you?
Creative work with exciting colleagues.
Coady is joined by Justin Kenealy to present Jane Hammond’s Songs from the Box and Swamp and Ross Edwards’ Full Moon Dances at fortyfivedownstairs on Thursday 15 & Friday 16 July 2021. For more information, visit: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Coady Green (supplied)