David Helfgott

[kayordee]

As an Australian I am proud that we gave birth to a well regarded pianist of great talent. Just now I have come home from his concert on the gold coast - it was spectacular. He played rachs famous alla marcia prelude in Gm, Flight of the bumblebee, sabre dance transcribed for the piano, Chopin ballade Gm, that famous C# chopin waltz, The Tristesse etude in E and heaps of others. His playing has inspired me, his interpretation and expression are very great. He is an awesome pianist and showman (quite the comedian) and I am proud to be Australian having represent us in the piano world. Any Aussies who feel the same way? has anyone else seen him in concert? Love you guys. Haters can get lost

[perfect_pitch]

As much as you will probably get MANY haters against David Helfgott... he did nail Rachmaninoffs 3rd Piano Concerto pretty well. Sadly enough though, I would say this would be the only work that he can truly master.

I saw him in concert a number of years ago at the Perth Concert Hall. I was pretty amazed at his performance of the Rach 3.

He is a bright guy though - managed to pick up that I was Scottish after only saying 3 words to him.

[mikey6]

I've heard from teachers now who were students with him and at the RCM and at his famous rach 3 concert that he did play very well.  I'll say no more on the subject....

[lostinidlewonder]

Helfgott has almost genuis IQ I believe. He is an extremely intelligent person. His younger sister Louise lives in my hometown Mandurah in West Australia. When I was younger I use to watch David play in the Mandurah Senior Citizen Centre many times (before the movie Shine brought him great fame). I met David in person, a facinating person but definatly you can see how much trauma he has been through. He talks in word salad and is very difficult to understand sometimes, but he is always happy. However you can see great mental struggles within him when he plays, he often looks at the audience to see if they are enjoying his music (a great need for acceptance has plagued him through his life). Often talks to himself and make a lot of noise while playing.

I remember in his concerts everytime he finished his piece he would stand up walk to the side of the stage and give his wife Gillian a kiss The audience would laugh as Gillian used the stage curtain to give them some privacy ! This was in the early 90's when David was on his way to ressurecting his performing career which West Australia was a platform for him to do this and West Australians where so very greatful for even more so when the world finally turned their attention to him again (which David much deserves but something which I hope he has found the strength to not be insecure about anymore).

[birba]

I heard him here in Rome, just after the film came out (probably part of the pubblicity campaign) and it was wierd and disappointing.

[communist]

I listened to some of his recordings, they are strange but I like them.

[mobydick]

I heard him here in Rome, just after the film came out (probably part of the pubblicity campaign) and it was wierd and disappointing.

It is very weird. The man is neurologically damaged, nobody seems to understand that, they think is because he's schizophrenic. Its the treatments he was given for 10 years destroyed his brain.

Also, he nails tha Rachmaninoff because it was the last piece he played at the RAM, he is unable to play anything new decently.

[pianoman53]

Maybe his Rach 3 was good. But I heard a fairly recent recording on youtube... It was really really bad. Accent on every beat...

[perfect_pitch]

The only recording I heard was his performance in 1995 and considering his condition, that was rather remarkable. I don't know how he sounds these days, but considering he music be in his late 60's by now I presume the skills aren't quite as sharp as they used to be.

[haydnseeker]

considering he music be in his late 60's by now I presume the skills aren't quite as sharp as they used to be.

In fact he is 65 today.

[lostinidlewonder]

Interpretations of his which left a lasting impression for me was his Liszt, Rach, Chopin and Gottschalk. Un Sospiro, Prelude in C# min, Fantasy imp, Pasquinade where favorites of mine when I was growing up and I was very honored to see them performed live. I find he shines when playing miniatures but the longer pieces seem to be more awkward. He was a joy to watch play live even with his strange mannerisms, there was a lot of passion in his playing, he is a real National treasure for us Aussies anyone who meets him has a lasting impression of him, the critical and cruel look at him as an insane, demented, damaged pianist, but those who understand how delicate us human can be will be moved quite a bit and understand that they are seeing triumph over such terrible disasters through David. His sister Louise is a piano teacher in my hometown where I grew up, she was wonderful and you could really see how music flowed strongly through the Helfgott family.