Simon Tedeschi performs at Beauty Point!

It’s not often two world-class musicians perform a string of intimate concerts within walking distance of your home.

But that’s what Beauty Point Retirement Resort residents enjoyed in July when the renowned pianist Simon Tedeschi and musician Glenn Henrich paid them a visit.

Simon, who has been playing piano since he was five and has performed for George W Bush and Vladimir Putin; and Glenn, who plays the vibraphone, saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano, wowed the crowd at the Resort, performing exclusively for residents and their guests.

Simon kicked off the amazing musical performances with a piece by Chopin, before he and Glenn, on the vibraphone, played some forties jazz and then the poignant Debussy piece ‘Footsteps in the Snow’, which Simon dedicated to the recent Norway massacre.

Following intermission, the pair played ‘Spain’ by Chick Corea, before launching into some more jazz that evolved into ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, which showcased Glenn’s talents on the vibraphone, saxophone and clarinet. Gershwin was followed by ‘Waltzing Matilda’, and a special request from the audience for ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ rounded out the stunning performance.

The Beauty Point residents in attendance were absolutely amazed by the musical prowess and gave the pair a standing ovation.

“We are so lucky to be enjoying a concert of this calibre,” said Augusta Cossetto. “They put so much feeling into the music that I can just close my eyes and enjoy it,” Mrs Cossetto said.

With a string of international prizes and scholarships under his belt, including winning the Open Age Concerto Series and ‘Most Outstanding in all Youth Sections’ in Italy in 1994 and taking out the top prize in the keyboard section of the Royal Overseas League Music Competition in London (2002), Simon has played for Pavarotti and has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and in Carnegie Hall, New York, London and Japan.

Simon says his career highlights include playing in the movie ‘Shine’ and playing a charity concert to a village in Cambodia, and his favourite style of music is ‘whatever he’s playing at the time’.

Simon and Glenn performed as part of Beauty Point’s Concert Series, which aims to bring world-class entertainment to residents, their friends and family.