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Jayson Gillham
Background information
Birth nameJayson Lloyd Gillham
Born1986 (age 37–38)
Dalby, Queensland, Australia
OccupationClassical pianist
InstrumentPiano
Websitejaysongillham.com
Alma mater

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

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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

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In 2012 Gillham was Commonwealth Musician of the Year and Gold Medalist of the Royal Over-Seas League 60th Annual Music Competition.[9] In 2014 he won the Montreal Piano Competition.[10] 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.[9]

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.[10][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.[11]

Jayson Gillham performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Sydney Opera House

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

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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

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Albums

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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

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AIR Awards

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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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Beethoven: The Piano Concertos
(with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Nicholas Carter) 		Best Independent Classical Album or EP Nominated [34][35]

ARIA Music Awards

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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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Medtner: Piano Concerto No 1 / Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2 (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Benjamin Northey) Best Classical Album Nominated [36]
2021 Beethoven Piano Concertos (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra & Nicholas Carter) Nominated

Personal life

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Gillham lives in London with his partner, Sid Mohandas, whom he married in 2016.[37][38][39] 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'.[39]

References

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  1. ^ Vittes, Laurence (6 June 2014). "Jayson Gillham Takes Gold in Montréal's Grand Prix Piano Competition". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Win two tickets to see Jayson Gillham perform Beethoven with a luxurious overnight stay at Ockenden Manor". Classic fM. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ^ Boon, Maxim (18 May 2015). "ABC Classics sign Jayson Gillham". Limelight Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Brief Encounter". LPO.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  5. ^ Gannon, Meg (1 August 2019). "From country life to star status". The Courier Mail.
  6. ^ Aronowicz, Andrew (5 October 2016). "Meet Jayson Gillham: The Australian piano's Boy Wonder". Limelight Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 October 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ "Awards 2009 – Tait Memorial Trust". 21 October 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Alumni". Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Jayson Gillham - December 6, Pollack Hall - The Montrealer". themontrealeronline.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Brief Encounter". LPO.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Jayson Gillham". Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  12. ^ McDowall, Carolyn (21 May 2015). "Jayson Gillham Pianist – ABC Classics Deal, a Trio of Albums". The Culture Concept. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Jayson Gillham - Bach | Schubert | Chopin". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58". Presto Classical. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  15. ^ "A Hero's Life". The Guardian. 29 October 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  16. ^ McPherson, Angus (3 September 2017). "Jayson Gillham on Making Magic with Medtner". Limelight Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  17. ^ "In Conversation: Jayson Gilham". Rehearsal Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  18. ^ Fowler, Andrew (3 May 2018). "Hall of Fame, Dazzling Concerto Performed by Jayson Gillham". The Edge. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Myths and Fairytales IV". RPO. 9 May 2018. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  20. ^ "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  21. ^ Emily Wind, "{Melbourne Symphony Orchestra cancels pianist's performance after dedication to journalists killed in Gaza" Archived 15 August 2024 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian 13 August 2024
  22. ^ Frater, Patrick (14 August 2024). "Melbourne Orchestra Cancels Jayson Gillham Performance After Pianist Dedicates Piece to 'Journalists of Gaza'". Variety. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Pianist had 'no idea' his Gaza comments would spark a firestorm with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra". ABC News. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Melbourne Symphony Orchestra says cancelling pianist performance over Gaza statement an 'error'". The Guardian. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  25. ^ "The Cat Empire postpones shows as musicians vote no confidence in MSO". ABC News. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  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. ^ Burke, Kelly (3 October 2024). "Pianist sues Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for cancelling his concert allegedly over Gaza stance". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Romantic Virtuoso Pianists – Jayson Gillham and Cyprien Katsaris". Musical Pointers. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  30. ^ "Jayson Gillham: Bach, Schubert & Chopin". ABC Classics. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  31. ^ "Jayson Gillham - Medtner Piano Concerto No.1 | Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2". ABC Classics. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  32. ^ "Romantic Bach: From Intimate to Epic (DD)". Apple Music. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Live)(DD)". Apple Music. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  35. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  36. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  37. ^ "The survey that split a nation", Courier-Mail, 17 November 2017
  38. ^ Ward, Brendan (September 2016). "Piano man Jayson Gillham on luck, bullying and Beethoven". The Australian. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  39. ^ a b c Flanagan, Sam (17 November 2017). "The survey that split a nation". Dalby Herald. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  40. ^ Flanagan, Sam (17 November 2017). "The survey that split a nation". The Queensland Times.
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