Internationally acclaimed pianist Josh Hooke returns to Bairnsdale next Sunday, May 3, with a program showcasing some of the most celebrated works in the piano repertoire.
Presented by POMEG, Hooke will perform at the Bairnsdale Uniting Church, bringing what organisers describe as a “wonderful program” highlighting both technical brilliance and musical depth.
Hooke has developed an international reputation for his exceptional skill and artistry, and has previously received strong audience responses in Bairnsdale. Despite a busy performance schedule, he returns to the region for this special concert.
The program opens with Mozart’s Fantasia in C minor, K475, known for its dramatic contrasts and shifting moods across five distinct sections, linked by the influence of C.P.E. Bach’s fantasias but shaped by Mozart’s compositional mastery.
The first half continues with works by Frédéric Chopin, including his Ballade No. 1 in G minor, widely regarded as one of his most popular and expressive works, along with a selection of his demanding Études, Op. 10, which are known for their technical difficulty and virtuosity.
After interval, Hooke will perform Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a ten-movement suite inspired by artworks displayed at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. The work is linked by a recurring “Promenade” theme and is regarded as a major showcase piece for pianists. Its popularity was further amplified through Maurice Ravel’s orchestration, as well as its use in film, television and sporting performances.
The concert will be held at 2pm at the acoustically renowned Bairnsdale Uniting Church, corner of Great Alpine Road and Lanes Road, Lucknow. Tea and coffee will be available at interval.
Pay at the door. School students free.
