Australian pianist, Aura Go plays Chopin - both the character, and all 24 of his Preludes - in the stage production of Paul Kildea's book Chopin's Piano. Combining live musical performances with theatre, the production brings to life the story of the piano made by the local Majorcan craftsman, Juan Bauza in Palma. Threaded together by Chopin's 24 Preludes, the story follows the piano from its time with Chopin during that historic winter in Majorca, to its new life in Paris with Wanda Landowska, and through the hands of Nazis during World War II.
Leaning into a bit of a method-acting scenario, Aura joins us on one of the ABC's most quirky pianos in the Melbourne live music studio to play some of the Preludes that Chopin wrote on Bauza's eccentric piano.
We speak to Aura about her take on Chopin as the pianists' composer and her acting debut, and contemplate the music of Chopin with some guests from The Music Show's archive, featuring interviews with Paul Kildea in 2018, Ruth Slenczynska in 2020, Roger Woodward in 2010, and Susan Tomes in 2021.
Chopin's Piano is now on tour around Australia.