On the Couch with Simon Tedeschi

Arts Review On the Couch Simon TedeschiWho is Simon Tedeschi?
Concert pianist.

What would you do differently to what you do now?  
I’d read a lot more at a young age (not just about music) and push myself harder to exercise instead of practise so much.

Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by the art of Jeffrey Smart, the subversiveness of John Waters and Joan Rivers, the pianism of Friedrich Gulda, the vision of Ingmar Bergman and the mind of Philip K Dick. All of these people have arrested my attention because of their distinct yet utterly authentic artistic voices.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Treat refugees less like scavengers of ‘our’ way of life and more like human beings with needs and wants like the rest of us. I come from a family of refugees, so this is very close to my heart.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Gisborne, New Zealand – because it’s almost unrealistically beautiful.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Campos Coffee in Newtown, because: 1. I hate being a tour guide 2. I love coffee 3. they would have to suck it up.

What are you currently reading?
The collected fiction of H.P Lovecraft.

What are you currently listening to?
A trio album by Larry Fuller, amazing American jazz pianist.

Happiness is? 
A cat next to me.

What does the future hold for you?
Lots of performing, learning, traveling and navel gazing.

Simon Tedeschi is one of Australia’s most renowned and sought-after pianists, awarded several prestigious prizes including first prize in the Keyboard division of the Royal Overseas League Competition (UK), Symphony Australia’s Young Performer of the Year Award, and the Legacy Award from the Creativity Foundation (USA).

A recipient of a Centenary of Federation Medal, Simon has performed in major concert halls the world over and for leaders such as George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. He is Artistic Patron of Fine Music 102.5FM, an Ambassador for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, Blue Mountains Concert Society and the Sydney and Ryde Eisteddfods.

As soloist, Simon regularly performs with orchestras around Australia and worldwide, with conductors including Richard Bonynge, Alan Gilbert, Jun Märkl and Sir William Southgate. Based in the USA for several years, since returning to Sydney in 2010, he has performed for the Sydney and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, Musica Viva, Queensland Music Festival and numerous concert series around the country.

Simon has also performed recitals with Yvonne Kenny, featured at the Sunrise Conference as part of VIVID Sydney, as well as playing numerous solo concerts in major venues throughout Australia. His wide-ranging discography includes acclaimed recordings of concerti by Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Mozart and solo albums, Gershwin and Me, Gershwin: Take Two and Tender Earth (ABC Classics).

With the highly anticipated release of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition for ABC Classics earlier this month, Simon has embarked on a national recital tour including Sydney’s City Recital Hall on Sunday 11 October 2015. For more information, visit: www.cityrecitalhall.com or www.simontedeschi.com for details.

Image: Simon Tedeschi