Chantel and Derek
        with
          David and Gillian Helfgott
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It turns out we were destined to get those pictures with the Helfgotts! On September 9th, 1997, David Helfgott made an appearance at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Oddly enough, this happened to be the very day of Chantel's birthday and we couldn't think of a better way to spend it. I bought tickets early and ended up with good seats for my parents, Chantel, myself and Adam.

The concert itself was incredible! David played for close to two hours and the performance was unbelievable.  For this performance, he mainly did works by Liszt, but managed to sneak in a movement of Rachmaninov's.  I felt he played even better than he did in Chicago.  Helfgott used great flourishing hand movements and his hands just glided across the keys.  It appears he was  moved to sing along with most of his playing, but it did not at all detract from the moment.  You could just feel he was into it and most of the audience was enthralled.  This became most evident after he received three standing ovations towards the end.  David was glowing and grinning from ear to ear while rapidly bowing.  Many people ran up to the front of the stage to try and shake his hand while giving their congratulations.

Immediately after the show, we all went backstage as the Helfgotts were kind enough to have us meet with them.  We were with a group of about twenty and David was maniacally running about the place and greeting everyone with enthusiastic hugs and kisses.  All he talked about was how privileged he was and how happy he was to see everyone.  Upon seeing Chantel again, he immediately said, "Ah!!  Ah-ha-haaa-ha---the girl from France!" and gave her a big hug.  Then he put his arm around me and told me how very important it is to be happy and that he was going to Miami soon.  At this point, he was distracted by an elderly white haired man who he presumed must be the Pope.   He cried, "Pope Paulsky!!  Pope-the-Pope-Paulsky!  How's the Pope?"  Then he started talking in Polish, despite the insistence of an assistant that this wasn't the Pope and he didn't know Polish.

While David was running around, we had a good long talk with his wife, Gillian.  She was telling us how impressed she was with Orchestra Hall and how this was one of the most well-run places they had been in the world.  She said it was so clean and orderly, quite a difference from most of the places they had been to.  She also commented on the friendliness of people from around here and told stories of people she had come across.  Then Gillian said they had bought an apartment over in New York, so they could have a place to call home when they visited the states.

As we were leaving, we saw an image that I think will always stick with me when I think of David Helfgott.  An assistant and he were making their way across the street to their hotel.  David yelled out a bye and as soon as the crosswalk said WALK, he bolted across the road and patiently waited at the next corner.  He had a smile on his face and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying life-- it didn't matter whether he was playing a piano or running across a busy road.

The next day, the reviews came in from the critics and it seems they were watching a completely different show than the rest of us.  Both our local papers savaged Helfgott's performance and claimed it was more like a freak show with all his singing and incessant muttering.  They pointed out he skipped entire sections, constantly hit the wrong notes, and was certainly not worthy of such a venue.  They felt his wife was just exploiting David and using him to make a fast buck.  I think the general feeling of the rest of us was summed up best by an editorial letter printed soon after:
 
 
 
 

Pianist David Helfgott, who has lived with
a devastating illness for much of his life, is
deserving of our support--not the wielding
baton of judgment from reviewer Michael
Anthony.

I went to the concert at Orchestra Hall
and yes, I applauded, loudly.  I did not
attend to hear perfection, but to applaud
courage (or do we not do that anymore?).
It is a courage that bares his vulnerabilities
in front of thousands, a courage that says
I have an illness, but have a gift to be
shared.

Anthony wrote that, "If it weren't for 'Shine',
Helfgott wouldn't be touring," and that one
shouldn't begrudge the Helfgotts "for trying
to make some fast cash."  David actually
began his comeback in 1984, playing to
sellout crowds in Australia and Europe.  His
wife, Gillian, is 65 years old and is preparing
for the day when she might not be there to
care for him.  Would we not want the same
financial security for our loved ones who may
be left to live with cancer, Alzheimer's disease
or mental illness?

As the composer Franz Liszt once said,
"Courage is the mainspring of our best
qualities."  I think he would be very
pleased.

--Francis John Shaw, West St. Paul
 
 
 
 
 

A few days ago, I asked the tour director for her impression of the Helfgotts and this is what she told me:

MY impressions of David & Gillian - firstly Gillian:  Gillian is definitely
one of a kind.  She loves company; she's very easy to talk to; she's
extremely accepting of everything/everyone; she's a smart lady; she has a
very young attitude; she had a very secure & loving upbringing and
therefore has a lot of love in her; etc etc etc

David - is absolutely wonderful.  He's very special; he radiates love; he is extremely accepting; has the ability to cancel ANY negative thoughts that may cross his mind; is ambitious; he is very intelligent - his knowledge of geography & history is amazing; he loves animals & they love him; he can be quite demanding in fact he says that he is 'villainously demanding' and can get anyone to do anything for him; he can put a smile on almost anyone's face.  I never got tired of being with David - he's full of surprises.

This last photograph provided courtesy of  Robert Banks.  Click on his name for a very in-depth look into the life of David Helfgott.
 

For another excellent site about Helfgott, check out Emile's Shine Page!
 

To get concert info and to learn all about David Helfgott check out David Helfgott--The Official Home Page.

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