Last night, the Final of Australia’s most lucrative and prestigious award for the collaborative pianist, the Accompanists’ Guild of SA’s 30th Geoffrey Parsons Award, took place in Adelaide at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, The University of Adelaide.
Talented and versatile South Australian musician, Andrew Georg, was the winner of the prestigious award. Hot on his heels were fellow South Australian musicians, Kyle Fraser and Jack Yang.
The three Finalists competed for a cash pool of $7,500. They were selected from auditions earlier this week, which included a performance of prepared works with their chosen associates, sight reading and a first rehearsal of the set work (Fabrizio Festa Clandestino Songs (No 1) for piano and percussion), performed with leading SA vibes specialist and percussionist, Nick Parnell.
The Final was judged by a panel, chaired by visiting percussionist, Associate Professor Vanessa Tomlinson from Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She was joined by leading SA musicians, Rodney Smith and Julie Sargeant.
As well as performing the set-work with Nick Parnell, each finalist presented works of their own choice which demanded great technical, interpretative and ensemble skills, including:
In announcing the winners Chairman of the Jury, Vanessa Tomlinson commended first prize-winner, Andrew Georg on the breadth of his playing, drawing on all the different nuances, tone colours and dynamic ranges of the instrument. She also praised the work of the Guild in fostering the art of the accompanist.
2014 Geoffrey Parsons Award Prizewinner, Andrew Georg, performed a program of art-songs by Barber, Duparc and Ginastera with mezzo soprano, Cheryl Pickering.
Andrew Georg is a versatile South Australian musician whose career encompasses opera and musical theatre, church and choral music, and general accompanying. Since 2010 Andrew has worked as a répétiteur with the State Opera of South Australia. Highlights include the Australian premieres of György Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre, Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick, and Quentin Grant’s Ode to Nonsense. Other productions include Philip Glass’s Satyagraha and Einstein on the Beach, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Aida, La Forza del Destino, Hansel and Gretel, and Carmen. Andrew has also worked with Co-Opera on several productions, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville. In 2012 he attended the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School on scholarship. In 2014 Andrew has been part of the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation Young & Emerging Artist Program at the State Opera of South Australia.
Click here to find out more about the Accompanists’ Guild of SA.
Click here to find out more about the Elder Conservatorium of Music.
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