Friends and lovers of classical music will have a rare chance to hear a local boy who has become a world-recognised cellist.
Sam Lucas grew up in Montville, but is now based in Germany where he has a recording contract and studies at the Robert Schumann Conservatorium, Dusseldorf.
He will return home to visit family this month and while on the Coast will perform concerts at the Lucas Parklands auditorium in Montville.
“Sam is returning to Montville, where it began for him, which is exciting for our family, but it’s also wonderful for his friends and lovers of classical music who have a rare chance to see him perform his complex and demanding repertoire,” said Ian Lucas, of Lucas Parklands.
The performances will be good preparation for a prestigious competition of the world’s elite cellists.
Sam is a finalist in the Queen Elisabeth International Cello Competition in Brussels, which is the biggest of its kind in the world.
The competition is patronised by the Belgium Royal Family, with a grand prize of 25,000 Euros plus worldwide concert engagements.
Sam is the only Australian finalist at the event, open to the world’s 50 leading cellists aged under 32, who are selected from 350+ applicants.
“It’s the most prestigious global competition. It gets incredible attention from the Belgium public and royalty, Europe’s classical music elite and is televised and widely publicised by the Belgium and European media,” said Ian Lucas, of Lucas Parklands
“All entrants are challenged to perform at a flawless high standard.”
“As his father, I’m proud and excited, but music lovers here on the Sunshine Coast have that to look forward to as well.”
COVID-19 meant Sam last visited home in 2019 and hasn’t seen his family since January 2020.
Sam first played cello at the recommendation of a teacher at Montville State Primary School, at a time when the rest of his family was learning piano.
His love for the instrument grew and developed. His path to his professional career in Europe began during his senior year, when he became the first Australian awarded the prestigious Sir Edmund Hilary Scholarship, which took him to the University of Waikato.
Soon after, he was selected from all New Zealand tertiary students to perform for Prince William and Princess Katherine during their Royal Tour.
It was in New Zealand that Sam was invited to audition for the cello class of Pieter Wispelwey of the Robert Schumann Conservatorium. Sam was accepted and Pieter remains his teacher today.
For one of his local performances, on February 25, Sam will be accompanied by South African-born pianist Berta Brozgul, who joins the list of accomplished musicians to feature at Lucas Parklands. She appears thanks to the strong personal recommendations of internationally-renown Australian piano maestro Piers Lane AO.
Miss Brozgul was born in Cape Town, studied in Salzburg in Austria, and at Australia’s National Academy of Music in Melbourne. She has performed throughout Australia, including with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Lucas Parklands is set on a 30-acre property just outside Montville, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland ranges.
The property features the performance hall, which is adjacent to the main residence and guest suites.
Much of the hidden property is undisturbed rainforest, which sits adjacent to the Kondalilla National Park. The manicured lawns and bushland surroundings lend itself to a unique natural vibe and relaxed atmosphere.
For performance and ticketing enquiries, phone 07 54785667 or 0409623228. Due to COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines, the concerts will allow only limited seating.
Information: lucasparklands.com.au
