David Helfgott | The Japan Times
SHARE
In 1996, a movie portraying the true-life story of pianist David Helfgott became a box-office hit. Actor Geoffrey Rush, who played the part of David, won an Oscar for his sympathetic, moving and convincing performance. The annual book Video Movie Guide applauds his interpretation of “deeply troubled Australian piano prodigy David Helfgott, who suffered a crippling nervous breakdown on the verge of international fame.” The film was “Shine.”
The film made a considerable contribution to public understanding and appreciation of David and his achievements. It revealed the human story underlying the emergence, disappearance, and re-emergence of a musician critically acclaimed as a genius.
Born to Polish Jewish parents in Melbourne, Australia, in 1947, David was placed before a keyboard at a very early age. The family moved to Perth, Western Australia, when he was 5. An earnest child, outwardly accepting the disciplines of parents and the piano, he applied himself seriously to music.
In his teens he won many awards. Six times he won the state finals of the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s instrumental and vocal competitions. He drew the attention of influential, professional people. No less a celebrity than the late violinist Isaac Stern urged that he go overseas for advanced study. At 19, David went to London to enter the Royal College of Music. Four years later, back in Perth, he suffered his breakdown. He withdrew from public view, and sank into obscurity. “Shine” suggests that Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto in its monumental difficulties found out David’s fragility as well as testing his strength. It may have been the catalyst for his retreat, but not its only cause.
David could hardly have fund a calmer, gentler, more scenic city than Perth in which to hide himself. Swans and the river, trees and public gardens offer balm. Fremantle, with its waterside markets at the end of a ferry ride, and Rottnest Island, with its open countryside and its wild quokka, could have helped soothe him. David stayed out of sight for 10 years. Then Gillian found him, and in time became his wife. With her belief in him, and his own courage and enthusiasm renewed, he returned to the world of music and struggle. The world welcomed him back.
Old frailties behind him, David embarked on more overseas study, major recitals and world tours that were triumphs. He played in world capital cities, receiving lavish praise from critics. A Bonn writer reported: “He magically turns the piano into an orchestra with a variety of sound colors. He plays the piano right from the depth of his feelings, and his fingers enable him to accomplish sheer miracles.” A Singapore critic wrote, “The most striking aspect of his playing lies in his appreciation of atmosphere which at times can be quite a mesmerizing affair.”
On a tour of Japan in the 1990s, David performed and recorded, and had compositions specially made for him. Significantly he dealt with his old nemesis, Rachmaninoff. His 1991 CD of Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Chopin was nominated for the Australia Aria Award, making David the only individual classical musician to receive this honor. His live recording of the Third Concerto in Denmark in 1995 was a key element in the making of “Shine.” The CD and the “Shine” soundtrack became best sellers.
David’s 1997 tour took him from the U.S. on a return to the Albert Hall in London. At Carnegie Hall, the ambassadors to the United Nations chose David for the Time for Peace Award. The New York Times called him ” the most influential classical musician of the year.” He was named the year’s top-selling classical artist. Two years later, back in Japan, he gave additional recitals and stepped up his CD releases.
Gillian, a student of astrology, accompanies David on his tours. Through music, and mindful of conditions that can at random create human casualties, both of them contribute to charities. David has the unusual distinction of having a mold of his hand offered on auction. For him, it is an appropriate symbol.
He has set his next Japan schedule this month, beginning July 6 in Sapporo, moving down to Nagoya on the 8th, then arriving in Chiba on the 11th. He will then be in three locations in Tokyo: at Meguro on the 14th, Sumida on the 16th and finally at Fuchu on the 18th.