Josh Hooke
"In my opinion, one of the most gifted pianists of his generation." - Paul Badura-Skoda
Josh Hooke, piano
Originally from regional Victoria, Joshua is currently completing a PhD in Music Performance at the University of Melbourne. Previously, Joshua was invited to undertake periods of intensive private study in Vienna with Paul Badura-Skoda, and was among his last students. He also studies regularly in London with Imogen Cooper. He has won numerous prizes and awards, and has worked with a number of Australia's most eminent musicians across a broad array of genres, including Benjamin Northey, Brett Dean, Greta Bradman, Nat Bartsch, Jack Vanzet (aka Thrupence) and Mikey Young (Total Control). In addition to performances throughout Australia as a recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist, Joshua performs frequently in Europe and the UK. He is broadcast regularly on various radio stations and digital streaming platforms including the BBC, Antena 2, ABC Classic, ABC RN and 774, PBS, Triple J, Triple R, and nationally on the MBS radio network, as well as the Australian Digital Concert Hall.
Evocations
A performance from one of Australia's most exciting and versatile young pianists
Each work in this program is concerned with the idea of evoking an image, scene or character in music. The process through which each composer does this is extremely individual, although the piano's unique power of illusion and potential for colour is very much a driving force through each work. The program opens with Anne Boyd’s Kabarli Mediation, inspired by Sydney Nolan’s painting 'Daisy Bates at Ooldea.’ This is followed by Schumann’s ecstatic shrovetide revelry in Carnival, a festive masked ball before Lent, full of heroes, villains, intrigue and secret messages.
The second half reflects the moods and themes of the first, opening with a work never before performed in Australia, by Portuguese composer Berta Alves de Souza. Like Schumann, in this cycle of 26 miniatures (some only lasting a few seconds) de Souza reveals her penchant for secret messages, each piece is given an expressive mark beginning with according to the letter and order of the alphabet, with frequent hidden quotations to composers of the past. This is followed by Catalan composer Federico Mompou’s mystical Paisajes (Landscapes), and concludes with Stravinsky’s own depiction of shrovetide in the ultra-virtuosic transcription of selected scenes from his own ballet score, Petrushka.
Boyd Kabarli Meditation
Schumann Carnival, Op. 9
Interval
Alves de Souza O Alfabeto em Música
Mompou Paysajes
Stravinsky Trois mouvements de Petrushka
A grand piano tuned the day of the performance
Microphone to speak with audience
Josh is available for masterclasses and performance classes, as well as seminars for music students looking to take the next step in their career and moving from regional NSW to the city, "presenting advice I myself I wish I had received at school, not living in a major city".
March - July
Book an artist
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva Australia can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Patrick Brearley
Manager, Regional Touring & Special Projects
02 8394 6662