David and I are reflecting on what a satisfying and fulfilling 2003  we have had and how fortunate we are with our extremely interesting life and work.

The first six months of last year was spent in Australia but from July onwards we toured overseas extensively.  We started in Japan, and once again David received a heart-warming welcome.

In late October we returned to Denmark for the first time sine 1997, and the response in Aarhus was terrific.  The management immediately invited David back to perform in 2005 and also in that year  we hope to cross the waters to Norway for a concert.  We have never visited this beautiful country and so are looking forward to the experience, and of course, David will play some Greig.

We then went to Switzerland, Germany and Austria for three weeks.  David is always very excited to visit these countries and soak up the musical history.  He played in the Stefaniensaal in Graz, which was one of the most beautiful theatres I have seen, with portraits of the musical greats around the walls and David’s performance reflected the hall’s inspiration for him.

Vienna was a magical experience.  The Mozartsaal is so charming and was packed.  In fact the recital sold out weeks in advance, and we had taken the risk of David playing Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz to the Viennese knowing how informed that audience would be.  It was a triumph with 5 standing ovations and immediately being invited to tour Austria and Germany again in 2005.  The response was particularly heartwarming.  Also whilst in Vienna we visited the Steinway House and David played Anton Rubenstein’s old Steinway and felt very privileged to do so.  The richness of the tone of this 1920’s piano was evident and I think David would have loved to have brought it back to Australia.

This year we are planning the beginning of David’s semi-retirement.  We are off to France and Italy mid May for two months complete holiday with my children.  We are renting villas in Umbria and Tuscany, with pianos and pools, and we intend to make the most of this lovely opportunity.  David will probably only do around 10 recitals for the year, and  many books should get read, more time for friends and family, and  to work in the garden at our Gleniffer home.  David felt he wanted more time in his ‘paradise’ at home and I was quick to agree.

Another exciting event was the release of David’s latest CD which contains him at age 14 playing two movements of Mozart’s 24th Piano concerto.  The joy, youthfulness and brilliance of the playing are infectious. It is obtainable only from our web site www.davidhelfgott.com

It is now twenty years ago that I met David and we really have not stayed still since that time.  They have been the most amazing years and so much achieved for both of us.  We have filled our lives to the full and so many goals have been reached and now we intend to enjoy more leisure and time for reflection  on the richness of the past years.
 
 

                                          ------Gillian and David Helfgott