A return to a deep musical passion after more than three decades working as an airline pilot has resulted in a national contest win for Montville pianist Ian Lucas.
Ian competed against about 40 other Australians to be recently named the joint winner of the inaugural Sydney Piano Lovers Competition – an event open only to amateur pianists over 30.
“I’m very pleased. I worked hard and I felt I’d do OK because I’ve been playing well, but you never know who else has entered because it’s adjudicated by private video,” Ian said.
Watch Ian’s performance. See bottom of this article
The competition is an offshoot of the prestigious Sydney International Piano Competition, which has been postponed until July 2021 due to COVID-19.
Entrants were required to submit a 20-minute video of their playing, which was viewed by a panel of three judges, led by world-renowned classical pianist Piers Lane.
Entering this prestigious competition posed a personal challenge for Ian, as the event required all the qualities and artistry of a concert pianist, a professional standard to which he questioned he’d ever reach. But he impressed the judging panel with his technical mastery combined with passion for his submitted piece.
The prize for Ian’s victory includes being invited to perform among the professionals at the Sydney Piano Festival proposed for July.
Ian was first taught classical piano by his mother as a child, but in his late teens his life took a different path and he embarked on a career as an airline pilot. It was some 32 years later, having retired from flying and with encouragement from his wife Lee, that he once again sat at the piano.
“It wasn’t until I turned 50 and my wife said, ‘You should go back to music’, and I said ‘OK’,” Ian explained.
“I slowly regained my technique and artistry. I found the return to music and continuous practicing more fatiguing than I remembered and progress was slower than I thought and hoped.
“Music didn’t return to me overnight, it took quite a few years to get everything back.”
He admits he feels some responsibility for keeping alive a family history of classical music.
“It’s a lineage – my grandmother taught my mother, who taught me, and I guess my grandmother’s mother probably taught her as well, and then l taught my children.”
Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article to register
Ian also took the time to teach the couple’s twin children, Sam and Meg, who have also followed musical paths. Sam is now a professional Cellist studying and living in Germany under management and with a record label contract. Meg is a practicing lawyer who still enjoys playing the piano when she has the chance.
Ian and Lee are known for establishing Lucas Parklands Montville, home to a 150-seat classical music auditorium described as one of the top performance venues of its size in the world.
The auditorium is set amongst the beauty and peace of undisturbed rainforest. Soft lighting and large windows have helped provide a natural backdrop in the auditorium for regular performances by classical musicians since 2008.
For Ian, perhaps Covid-19 gave some impetus to his competition win. With the Lucas Parklands classical concerts on hold, he spent an increasing amount of time at the piano, revisiting works of Brahms, Chopin, Bach and other classical greats. The extra effort has helped result in his competition win.
Ian said he looks forward to again supporting the arts by bringing renowned musicians to Lucas Parklands.
He added he might even make some appearances himself in the local concerts.
