Tony Fenelon & John Giacchi – Duelling Keyboards!
Tony Fenelon & John Giacchi
Duelling Keyboards: A Spectacular Musical Face-Off!
Prepare for an unforgettable evening as TOSA Q presents two of the world’s finest keyboard masters in a high-energy ‘Duelling Keyboards’ event. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a masterclass in virtuosity and showmanship, featuring the legendary Tony Fenelon and John Giacchi.
Reserve your tickets now at TryBooking here
An Explosive Program
The duo will command the magnificent 1934 Christie Cinema Pipe Organ alongside the brilliance of virtuoso solo piano, bringing a lively and diverse repertoire to life. The program features a thrilling musical journey across the works of:
- Rachmaninoff and Strauss
- Lloyd-Webber and de Falla
- Charles Williams and Gottschalk
- And much more, including a show-stopping rendition of The Ghost Riders In The Sky!
Further detail, in no particular order, and of course subject to change without notice, this fabulous program will include!
Johann Strauss II (1825–1899) ……………………………………………………. Moto Perpetuo, Op. 257
True to its name (“Perpetual Motion”), this relentless musical sprint consists of an unbroken stream of sixteenth notes from the first bar to the very last. It is a notorious test of stamina and precision for the performers.
Manuel de Falla (1876–1946) …………………………………. “Ritual Fire Dance” (from El amor brujo)
Written for a ballet about a young woman haunted by the ghost of her jealous ex-husband, this fiery movement mimics a frantic, ritualistic dance meant to lure the specter into a ring of fire so he will vanish forever.
Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829–1869) ………………………… Grande Tarantelle in D minor, Op. 67
Gottschalk was America’s first true rock-star pianist. This piece is based on the traditional Italian tarantella—a rapid, dizzying dance historically believed to be the only cure for the venomous bite of a tarantula spider.
Aram Khachaturian (1903–1978) …………………………………. “Waltz” (from the Masquerade Suite)
Khachaturian almost didn’t finish this hauntingly beautiful waltz. He found himself paralyzed by a line in the play that described the music as “enchanting.” He later admitted he had to visualizes the actress’s face to finally capture the theme.
Émile Waldteufel (1837–1915) ……………………………………………………. The Skaters’ Waltz, Op. 183
Inspired by the winter scenes on the frozen Seine River and the elegant outdoor skating rinks of Paris, Waldteufel perfectly captures the glide of blades on ice, complete with the charming ring of sleigh bells.
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) ……………………… Allegro scherzando (from Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: III)
After the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony, Rachmaninoff suffered severe writer’s block and depression. He only composed this triumphant masterpiece after undergoing months of successful hypnotherapy.
Charles Williams (1893–1978) ………………………………………………………….. The Dream of Olwen
Williams composed this romantic piece for the 1947 British film “While I Live,” where the music itself forms the central plot. The piece became an overnight radio sensation, vastly outshining the film that inspired it.
Vincent Youmans (1898–1946) …………………………………………….. “I Know That You Know”
This infectious, syncopated standard debuted on Broadway in 1926 before jumping to the silver screen in 1955’s “Hit the Deck.” Its driving rhythm and lightning-fast chord changes made it an instant favorite for jazz players and solo organists.
Marvin Hamlisch (1944–2012) …………………… Theme from Ice Castles (“Through the Eyes of Love”)
Hamlisch is one of a select few artists to win an “EGOT” (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). This soaring 1978 power ballad earned him an Academy Award nomination and went on to become a staple of figure skating routines worldwide.
Andrew Lloyd Webber (b. 1948) …………………………………………………… “Memory” (from Cats)
The melody for “Memory” was originally written for a discarded musical project about Puccini. Lloyd Webber recycled it just days before Cats opened, and it went on to be recorded by over 150 artists, from Barbra Streisand to Barry Manilow.
Stan Jones (1914–1963) ………………………………………………………. (Ghost) Riders in the Sky
Jones wasn’t a professional musician when he wrote this; he was a US National Park Ranger in Death Valley. The eerie story of spectral cowboy cattle chasing across the sky was inspired by an old Native American legend a forest ranger told him when he was 12 years old.
More to come on this fabulous program!
The ‘TOSA Q Touch’
Experience the music with the signature friendly TOSA Q atmosphere, where every guest is welcomed as part of our vibrant musical community:
– Cabaret-style seating option available – designed for comfort and an excellent view of the performance.
– A complimentary glass of wine on arrival to toast to an evening of world-class music.
– Projection of the performance on screens from multiple cameras – bringing the audience closer to the action!
– Bar will be open from 5:15pm with drinks available for purchase.
SECURE YOUR TICKETS HERE NOW!
Demand for this landmark performance is exceptionally high. To ensure you don’t miss out on seeing these two legends share the stage, you must act quickly.
Tickets are selling fast—book yours today to guarantee your seat for this once-in-a-lifetime musical event!
The Masters of the Bench
Tony Fenelon, OAM Beyond being a world-renowned theatre organist and recipient of the 2018 National Theatre Organ Award, Tony is a distinguished classical piano virtuoso. His international accolades include:
– Named the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) Organist of the Year in 2002.
– Inducted into the ATOS Hall of Fame in 2014.
– Winner of the Victorian State Finals of the ABC Concerto Competitions.
– Securing the Bach and Open Sections of the National Eisteddfod in Canberra.
– Student of the prestigious Melbourne University Conservatorium under Roy Shepherd.
– Featured pianist in major gala performances, including renditions of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
John Giacchi
Celebrated for his lush arrangements and dramatic flair, John gained international acclaim as the first Australian to win the Senior Division of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) Young Theatre Organist Competition in 1990. His career highlights include:
– Winning first and second prizes in both classical and popular organ sections of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod.
– Awarded first prize in an Australia-wide competition for his original theatre organ composition, ‘Opus ’88’.
– Invited to perform his original work on the famous five-manual Hill & Son organ at Sydney Town Hall.
– A prolific recording artist with acclaimed albums including ‘Nightmoods,’ ‘Beyond the Blue Horizon,’ and ‘Journey Into Melody’.
Ticket Prices
General Admission $40-$50
Concession $35-$45
TOSAQ Members $30-$40
Primary & Secondary Students $10.00
Children Under 10 Free
Free parking. Air-conditioned and fully accessible venue.
Reserve your tickets now at TryBooking here
Don’t miss the chance to see Tony Fenelon and John Giacchi live in Brisbane! Reserved allocated seating is limited and selling fast—secure your preferred spot immediately to guarantee the best view of these two legends at the keyboards.
Book now to ensure you don’t miss out on this spectacular performance!
* Note program subject to change without prior notice.
Further Details: