Jayson Gillham Explained

Jayson Gillham
Landscape:yes
Birth Name:Jayson Lloyd Gillham
Birth Place:Dalby, Queensland, Australia
Occupation:Classical pianist
Instrument:Piano
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Child:yes

Jayson Lloyd Gillham (born 1986) is an Australian-British classical pianist, based in London. In 2014, Gillham was the winner of the 2014 Montreal International Musical Competition. His performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 was described in the Huffington Post as being played 'with such streamlined patrician elegance that he took home First Prize and a string of engagements...'[1] The British conductor Sir Mark Elder said Gillham 'plays Beethoven with a sort of 'glow''.[2] In May 2015, Gillham signed a three-album deal with ABC Classics.[3] [4]

Early life

Jayson Gillham was born in Dalby, Queensland. He started piano lessons at the age of four.[5] He had his first public performance at the Dalby Eisteddfod where he played a minuet by J. S. Bach. In 1993, he commenced formal piano lessons from Eugene Gienger in Toowoomba.[6]

In 2007, he graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Subsequently, he relocated to London in 2007 to study at the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Christopher Elton. Gillham graduated with a Master's Degree in music. Gillham was supported in his studies by the Tait Memorial Trust,[7] and the Australian Music Foundation.[8]

Career

In 2012 Gillham was Commonwealth Musician of the Year and Gold Medalist of the Royal Over-Seas League 60th Annual Music Competition. In 2014 he won the Montreal Piano Competition.[9] He also reached the finals of some of the world's leading piano competitions, such as the Leeds International Piano Competition and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.[10]

Concerto engagements with international orchestras include the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.[11]

Gillham has performed at some of the world's most renowned venues, including Wigmore Hall and Steinway Hall, and festivals such as Verbier and Two Moors.In May 2015, Gillham signed a three-album exclusive recording contract with ABC Classics.[12] His debut recital album featuring works of Bach, Schubert, and Chopin was released in October 2016.[13] This first release was soon followed by his live recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy.[14] Gillham performed the Beethoven Concerto No. 3 with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Jeffrey Tate.[15] His most recent CD, recorded in 2017 of works by Medtner and Rachmaninoff with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under Benjamin Northey was Recording of the Month in Limelight magazine.[16] Medtner's Piano Concerto No. 1, as included in this release, will also feature in a documentary film about the life of the renowned Australian pianist Geoffrey Tozer.[17]

In May 2018, Gillham made his debut with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Victor Aviat.[18] He also joined the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a UK tour with the British conductor Alexander Shelley.[19] At the 2020 ARIA Music Awards, Gillham with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Nicholas Carter were nominated for Best Classical Album for Beethoven Piano Concertos.[20]

Cancelled performance controversy

In August 2024, a scheduled performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) was cancelled after Gillham spoke before an earlier performance of a new work, dedicating it to Palestinian journalists killed by Israel in Gaza.[21] Gillham said:

Over the last 10 months, Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinian journalists. A number of these have been targeted assassinations of prominent journalists as they were traveling in marked press vehicles or wearing their press jackets. The killing of journalists is a war crime in international law, and it is done in an effort to prevent the documentation and broadcasting of war crimes to the world. In addition to the role of journalists who bear witness, the word ‘witness’ in Arabic is ‘shaheed,’ which also means ‘martyr'.[22]
In an interview with journalist David Marr on ABC RN's Late Night Live, Gillham stated that the MSO's actions had actually highlighted the plight of Palestinian journalists, adding that he is "actually so grateful for that."[23] After intense backlash from the musician community, the Orchestra later claimed it had committed an "error" by cancelling Gillham's concert and stated it was working to reschedule it.[24] Musicians at the MSO then expressed a vote of no confidence in the orchestra's managing director.[25]

In September, responding to a letter from Gillham's lawyers suggesting a way for MSO to resolve the matter and thus dispense with further legal action, MSO's lawyers revived their initial position by stating their view that his remarks were an abuse of his appointed function.[26]

On 3 October 2024 Gillham sued the MSO, alleging that he was discriminated against based on political belief or activity, contrary to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Victoria) and the Fair Work Act 2009 (Commonwealth).[27] He said he had been "silenced for speaking the truth", and that the cancellation of his performance over his political views "strikes at the heart of our right to free speech."[28]

Discography

Albums

List of albums with selected details! Title! Details
Etudes de Concert
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Digital Audio Disc Corp.
  • Formats: CD
Beethoven Chopin Debussy
(with Cyprien Katsaris)
  • Released: 2010[29]
  • Label: ABC
  • Formats: CD
Bach Schubert Chopin
  • Released: 7 October 2016[30]
  • Label: ABC
  • Formats: CD
Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
(with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Benjamin Northey)
  • Released: 25 August 2017[31]
  • Label: ABC Classics (4815564)
  • Formats: CD, DD
Romantic Bach: From Intimate to Epic
  • Released: 2 November 2018[32]
  • Label: ABC Classics (4817686)
  • Formats: CD, DD
Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Live)
(with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Nicholas Carter)
  • Released: 20 February 2020[33]
  • Label: ABC Classics
  • Formats: CD, DD

Awards

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

! |-| 2021| Beethoven: The Piano Concertos
| Best Independent Classical Album or EP| | [34] [35] |}

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. ! |-| 2017| Medtner: Piano Concerto No 1 / Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2 (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Benjamin Northey)|rowspan="2" | Best Classical Album| |rowspan="2" |[36] |-| 2021| Beethoven Piano Concertos (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra & Nicholas Carter)| |-

Personal life

Gillham lives in London with his partner, Sid Mohandas, whom he married in 2016.[37] [38] Gillham actively supports the LGBTI community and expressed his strong support in favour for the 'Yes' campaign in Australia's Marriage Equality Postal Survey.[39] [40] In an interview with the Dalby Herald, Gillham said, 'It's a significant survey because it shows that Australians are on the whole socially liberal, hopeful and forward-looking'.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jayson Gillham Takes Gold in Montréal's Grand Prix Piano Competition. Vittes. Laurence. 6 June 2014. The Huffington Post. 16 May 2018. 29 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151029125142/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laurence-vittes/jayson-gillham-takes-gold_b_5454210.html. live.
  2. Web site: Win two tickets to see Jayson Gillham perform Beethoven with a luxurious overnight stay at Ockenden Manor. Classic fM. 16 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516175012/http://www.classicfm.com/win/jayson-gillham-beethoven-ockenden-manor/. live.
  3. Web site: ABC Classics sign Jayson Gillham . Limelight Magazine . 18 May 2015 . 28 February 2016 . Boon, Maxim . 5 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305135112/http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/abc-classics-sign-jayson-gillham . live .
  4. Web site: Brief Encounter . LPO.org.uk . 2016-02-28 . 29 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160229030218/http://www.lpo.org.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/4368-brief-encounter.html . live .
  5. News: Gannon . Meg . 1 August 2019 . From country life to star status . The Courier Mail.
  6. Web site: Aronowicz . Andrew . 2016-10-05 . Meet Jayson Gillham: The Australian piano's Boy Wonder . 2024-09-10 . Limelight Magazine . 5 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161005013826/http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/australias-boy-wonder-jayson-gillham . bot: unknown .
  7. Web site: Awards 2009 – Tait Memorial Trust. 21 October 2016. 13 August 2017. 13 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170813181701/http://taitmemorialtrust.org/awards-2009/. live.
  8. Web site: Alumni. 10 August 2023. 9 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240809155510/https://australianmusicfoundation.org/alumni. live.
  9. Web site: Brief Encounter . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160229030218/http://www.lpo.org.uk/whats-on-and-tickets/4368-brief-encounter.html . 29 February 2016 . 2016-02-28 . LPO.org.uk.
  10. Web site: Jayson Gillham - December 6, Pollack Hall - The Montrealer . 2024-09-10 . themontrealeronline.com.
  11. Web site: Jayson Gillham . 2024-10-15 . Queensland Symphony Orchestra . en.
  12. Web site: Jayson Gillham Pianist – ABC Classics Deal, a Trio of Albums. McDowall. Carolyn. 21 May 2015. The Culture Concept. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516015010/https://www.thecultureconcept.com/jayson-gillham-pianist-abc-classics-deal-a-trio-of-albums. live.
  13. Web site: Jayson Gillham - Bach Schubert Chopin. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2018. 7 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180507072948/https://shop.abc.net.au/gillham-bach-schubert-chopin-cd. live.
  14. Web site: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58. Presto Classical. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516015348/https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/products/8269000--beethoven-piano-concerto-no-4-in-g-major-op-58. live.
  15. Web site: A Hero's Life. 29 October 2016. The Guardian. 15 May 2018. 15 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815023704/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/nov/23/a-heros-life. live.
  16. Web site: Jayson Gillham on Making Magic with Medtner. McPherson. Angus. 3 September 2017. Limelight Magazine. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516015225/https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/jayson-gillham-on-making-magic-with-medtner/. live.
  17. Web site: In Conversation: Jayson Gilham. Rehearsal Magazine. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516014617/http://rehearsalmagazine.com/articles/in-conversation-jayson-gilham. live.
  18. Web site: Hall of Fame, Dazzling Concerto Performed by Jayson Gillham. Fowler. Andrew. 3 May 2018. The Edge. 15 May 2018. 15 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815023643/https://theedgesusu.co.uk/live/reviews/2018/05/03/review-hall-of-fame-dazzling-concerto-performed-by-jayson-gillham/. live.
  19. Web site: Myths and Fairytales IV. 9 May 2018. RPO. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103742/https://www.rpo.co.uk/whats-on/eventdetail/852/-/myths-and-fairytales-iv-jayson-gillham-performs-chopin. live.
  20. Web site: And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To… . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 13 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126005048/https://www.aria.com.au/awards/news/and-the-2020-aria-award-goes-to . 26 November 2020 . live .
  21. Emily Wind, " The Guardian 13 August 2024
  22. Web site: Frater . Patrick . 2024-08-14 . Melbourne Orchestra Cancels Jayson Gillham Performance After Pianist Dedicates Piece to ‘Journalists of Gaza’ . 2024-10-15 . Variety . en-US.
  23. News: 2024-08-22 . Pianist had 'no idea' his Gaza comments would spark a firestorm with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . 2024-08-24 . ABC News . en-AU.
  24. Web site: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra says cancelling pianist performance over Gaza statement an 'error'. 15 August 2024. The Guardian. 24 August 2024.
  25. News: 2024-08-16 . The Cat Empire postpones shows as musicians vote no confidence in MSO . 2024-10-15 . ABC News . en-AU.
  26. Kelly Burke, MSO says concert pianist who dedicated performance to Palestinian journalists ‘abused his position’,The Guardian 2 September 2024.
  27. Kerrie O'Brien, Pianist Jayson Gillham files legal action against MSO, The Age, 3 October 2024.
  28. News: Burke . Kelly . 2024-10-03 . Pianist sues Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for cancelling his concert allegedly over Gaza stance . 2024-10-15 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  29. Web site: Romantic Virtuoso Pianists – Jayson Gillham and Cyprien Katsaris. Musical Pointers. 18 May 2018. 8 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151008111439/http://www.musicalpointers.co.uk/reviews/cddvd12/Gillham-Katsaris.html. live.
  30. Web site: Jayson Gillham: Bach, Schubert & Chopin. 2 December 2016. ABC Classics. 15 May 2018. 7 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180507072948/https://shop.abc.net.au/gillham-bach-schubert-chopin-cd. live.
  31. Web site: Jayson Gillham - Medtner Piano Concerto No.1 Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2. 25 August 2017. ABC Classics. 15 May 2018. 11 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511234428/https://shop.abc.net.au/jayson-gillham-medtner-rachmaninoff-cd?region=gb. live.
  32. Web site: Romantic Bach: From Intimate to Epic (DD). Apple Music. 2 November 2018. 5 June 2021. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606073617/https://music.apple.com/au/album/romantic-bach-from-intimate-to-epic/1440484551. live.
  33. Web site: Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Live)(DD). Apple Music. 2 November 2018. 5 June 2021. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606072114/https://music.apple.com/au/album/beethoven-piano-concertos-live/1498155528. live.
  34. Web site: Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced . . 2 June 2021 . 5 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602000704/https://themusic.com.au/news/2021-air-awards-nominees-and-indie-con-australia-conference-announced/ivyWnJ-egYA/02-06-21/ . 2 June 2021 . live.
  35. Web site: 2021 AIR Awards Winners . Scenstr.com.au . 6 August 2021 . 5 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210805231602/https://scenestr.com.au/music/2021-air-awards-winners-20210805 . live .
  36. ARIA Award previous winners. Web site: ARIA Awards – Winners by Award. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 9 July 2022. 12 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112060952/https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-classical-album?view=list. live.
  37. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/dalby/the-survey-that-split-a-nation/news-story/32b5d454665df4cdb5f9f1fbb760d645 "The survey that split a nation"
  38. News: Piano man Jayson Gillham on luck, bullying and Beethoven. Ward. Brendan. September 2016. The Australian. 10 April 2018.
  39. News: The survey that split a nation. Flanagan. Sam. 17 November 2017. Dalby Herald. 30 April 2018. 1 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501010555/https://www.dalbyherald.com.au/news/the-survey-that-split-a-nation/3267837/. live.
  40. News: The survey that split a nation. Flanagan. Sam. 17 November 2017. The Queensland Times.

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