A talented Sunshine Coast piano player has taken home first prize in this year’s Sydney Piano Lovers’ Competition.
Ian Lucas from Montville was up against other Aussie and New Zealand amateur pianists over the age of 30.
Ian’s winning repertoire consisted of three romantic and captivating pieces including Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Op. 64/2 No.6, Liszt’s Sonetto 104 del Petrarca and Prokofiev’s March from the Opera Love of Three Oranges.
Ian began playing piano when he was four.
“I was taught piano by my mother when I was a child,” he says.
“I played consistently for about 15 years, I would have given it away by 19.”
The 64-year-old studied piano in the ‘70s in Hobart before moving into a 30-year aviation career as a commercial pilot.
But his instincts and love of piano playing never wavered.
“In some ways it’s beyond a passion, these things become an obsession because even if you can’t play you’re listening to it and thinking about it,” he says.
“Even in the years I was working in the bush, and I had no access to a piano, I was still thinking about it.”
The competition was a catalyst for Ian to return to music and living in the artistic hub of Montville also helped.
Ian will now be given to opportunity to perform live – at the prestigious Sydney International Piano Competition next year.
“I’m very flattered and excited,” Ian says.
Image and video: Supplied
