The stage at Perthâs Winthrop Hall was adorned with blue curtains, and a very elegant black Steinways Grand Piano positioned center stage. Then a figure in black suit crossed to thunderous applause from the audience, and Mr Paul Lewis CBE bowed and took his place at the piano. What came next can only be described as breathtaking. Mr Lewis began his performance with a perfect and flawless rendition of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozartâs Piano Sonata 10 in C Major. A beautiful, mesmerizing piece of music presented skillfully.
Mr Lewis completed his first act with the equally beautiful Lâisle Joyeuse (The Isle of Joy) composed by Claude Debussy, again performed with perfection. Debussy and Mozart were very different in their composition styles, however when both framed the delightful music of Francis Poulencâs Improvisations Pour le Piano (Improvisations for Piano) the mĂ©lange, or fusion, of the three composers was perfect.
The second act of Mr Lewisâ performance was just as beautiful as the first. Mr Lewis opened with more selections from Poulencâs Improvisation Pour le Piano. At the end of two of the pieces was a lone, solitary note, which on both occasions resulted in a giggle from the audience.
Mozart+ act 2 was concluded by Mozartâs Piano Sonata 14 in C Minor. Another beautiful, flawless performance.
Mr Lewis provided the audience with an encore of a piece from Chopin. Another delightful composition.
Throughout the performance one could not only hear but could also see the passion that Mr Lewis has for classical music as his facial expressions showed all. It is no wonder that he has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, et al. His renditions are simply the most beautiful and superb this author has ever witnessed in person.
In Mr Lewis’ own words he has, for many years, “wanted to spend some time focusing on Mozart’s piano sonatas and have long felt sceptical of the broadly held view that these remarkable works are the poor siblings of his piano concertos”. I must agree with Mr Lewis as the selected sonatas are just as beautiful as the composer’s full concertos.
I had the pleasure of attending the performance with my 6 year old son, who enjoys live theatre and classical music as much as I, and when asked for his thoughts on the performance he summed it up in one solitary word, âAmazingâ.
The audience were completely captured by the extreme talent on the stage, and the beautiful music that filled the auditorium, and this author believes that each audience for the remainder of Paul Lewis: Mozart+ Australian tour will be equally bewitched by his talent and presentation.
– Brenton Foale
To book tickets to Paul Lewis: Mozart+, please visit https://www.musicaviva.com.au/concert-season/2026/paul-lewis-mozartplus/.
