Geoffrey was a close friend of ours and visited our home a number of times. He must be numbered amongst the very greatest of pianists. His passing was such a sad occasion. He is sorely missed. I shall never forget the time when he accompanied me as I sang some favourite ballads.
Agreed. I seem to have heard that he was living in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern during the last period of his life, and living in rather dire conditions there. It must have been so sad for him, and as some people said afterwards, it was very sad for later for those who knew and were close to him. Those who knew him really should have done more for him during that last period .....
The presence of 2 serious - looking microphones (which would have been moved every time the pianist moved between pianos) encourages one to believe - hope - that a better recording of this concert exists somewhere. Unless we're listening to it now.
@pianopera and yet... the dedication to phrasing, colour and technical precision is just utterly staggering! A tragic ending for an extreme and singular talent.
how can it be that such a talent doesn't stand in the collective memory alongside the greatest interprets of the turn of the century? How can it be so that, toward the end of his life, this genius played in that shite theatre instead of Carnegie Hall?
Gabe Fraija welcome to Australia , the land where mediocrity is celebrated above all and greatness in anything but sport, looked upon with great suspicion.
No, dear Sam - the documentary you may have seen - “Eulogy” - I feel completely misunderstood both the man and his extraordinary brilliance, sadly. The documentary simply omitted his triumphs outside of Oz. The film was also completely wrong in ‘explaining’ his neglect in Australia. He is was, I feel, a victim of our ‘tall poppy syndrome’ - unfortunately, still alive and well - and the very heights of his brilliance may have been his professional undoing (envy of his extraordinary gifts). I know all this from a close friend of Tozer, who knew him for twenty-five years: and who was horrified - devastated - by by the documentary, knowing it to be so misleading. There will be a new documentary coming in a year or so which explains the (ghastly) music business politics behind falsehoods such as his ‘unreliability’. Envy - rather than being able to rejoice in Australia bringing forth this breathtaking genius - was his undoing, I believe. There was no-one more serious, disciplined, or loving of the work of a life at the piano. Just listen .... The alcoholism at the end of his life was a tragedy; but his life was not tragic. In China and much of Europe he was honored as he should have been. Apparently he was a kind, loving, deep, and intelligent person - who had many, many friends, and was greatly loved. Perhaps a part of him was too sensitive for this world. And internalized homophobia was very costly to his psyche for many years. To play like this one must have both depth and complexity, pain and joy, in one’s experience. Thank God we had him. More and more of his recordings are to be released: many are already on Chandos. Perhaps at least posthumously he may receive the recognition he deserves in his own country. Please see the next documentary when it comes out - being made now by a few people who knew him. The makers of “Eulogy” did not; nor were they able to tell a complex and nuanced narrative about a complex person. I’m sure they meant well - but I feel I must put the record straight (forgive the pun) and simply say clearly that they did not understand their subject. Please listen to Tozer playing a short and apparently simple piece - like Schumann’s ‘Mignon’ on You Tube - and I think you’ll hear what I mean about his true status as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. With respect, good wishes, and peace.
@elisonnat , that venue's no Carnegie Hall but make no mistake , it's the rank and file in the Far East who value and appreciate this music in a way that can't be imagined anymore in Tozer's home country. That's where the shite really is. Tozer would have been lionised by this audience.
A great guy and an amazing pianist. I saw him in concert in Melbourne in 1972. He was the same age as I was. I will never forget this guy. He was such an inspiration for me as I went on to study piano to diploma level.
Geoffrey was a close friend of ours and visited our home a number of times. He must be numbered amongst the very greatest of pianists. His passing was such a sad occasion. He is sorely missed. I shall never forget the time when he accompanied me as I sang some favourite ballads.
Can you tell us a little more about him?
Agreed.
I seem to have heard that he was living in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern during the last period of his life, and living in rather dire conditions there. It must have been so sad for him, and as some people said afterwards, it was very sad for later for those who knew and were close to him. Those who knew him really should have done more for him during that last period .....
A great pianist and musician who led a somewhat tragic life.
I don't think I've ever seen playing so effortless.
Geoffrey Tozer: a genius for all time - who will one day receive the recognition he deserves.
A breathtaking performance
Bravo - and valé.
One of Australia's greatest pianists. A pity that the sound quality of this recording is not very good.
pianopera Hard to believe that this man was already ill and a heavy drinker when he gave this fabulous recital...he would die only 4 years later...
The presence of 2 serious - looking microphones (which would have been moved every time the pianist moved between pianos) encourages one to believe - hope - that a better recording of this concert exists somewhere. Unless we're listening to it now.
@pianopera and yet... the dedication to phrasing, colour and technical precision is just utterly staggering! A tragic ending for an extreme and singular talent.
how can it be that such a talent doesn't stand in the collective memory alongside the greatest interprets of the turn of the century? How can it be so that, toward the end of his life, this genius played in that shite theatre instead of Carnegie Hall?
Gabe Fraija welcome to Australia , the land where mediocrity is celebrated above all and greatness in anything but sport, looked upon with great suspicion.
was considered unreliable;ie may not do the engagement;this because of alcoholism
No, dear Sam - the documentary you may have seen - “Eulogy” - I feel completely misunderstood both the man and his extraordinary brilliance, sadly.
The documentary simply omitted his triumphs outside of Oz. The film was also completely wrong in ‘explaining’ his neglect in Australia. He is was, I feel, a victim of our ‘tall poppy syndrome’ - unfortunately, still alive and well - and the very heights
of his brilliance may have been his professional undoing (envy of his extraordinary gifts). I know all this from a close friend of Tozer, who knew him for twenty-five years: and who was horrified - devastated - by by the documentary, knowing it to be so misleading.
There will be a new documentary coming in a year or so which explains the (ghastly) music business politics behind falsehoods such as his ‘unreliability’. Envy - rather than being able to rejoice in Australia bringing forth this breathtaking genius - was his undoing, I believe.
There was no-one more serious, disciplined, or loving of the work of a life at the piano. Just listen ....
The alcoholism at the end of his life was a tragedy; but his life was not tragic. In China and much of Europe he was honored as he should have been. Apparently he was a kind, loving, deep, and intelligent person - who had many, many friends, and was greatly loved.
Perhaps a part of him was too sensitive for this world. And internalized homophobia was very costly to his psyche for many years.
To play like this one must have both depth and complexity, pain and joy, in one’s experience.
Thank God we had him. More and more of his recordings are to be released: many are already on Chandos. Perhaps at least posthumously he may receive the recognition he deserves in his own country.
Please see the next documentary when it comes out - being made now by a few people who knew him. The makers of “Eulogy” did not; nor were they able to tell a complex and nuanced narrative about a complex person. I’m sure they meant well - but I feel I must put the record straight (forgive the pun) and simply say clearly that they did not understand their subject.
Please listen to Tozer playing a short and apparently simple piece - like Schumann’s ‘Mignon’ on You Tube - and I think you’ll hear what I mean about his true status as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.
With respect, good wishes, and peace.
@@rebeccae5691, has that new documentary ever materialised? Even now googling this subject only turns up "Eulogy".
@elisonnat , that venue's no Carnegie Hall but make no mistake , it's the rank and file in the Far East who value and appreciate this music in a way that can't be imagined anymore in Tozer's home country. That's where the shite really is. Tozer would have been lionised by this audience.
This is phenomenally great playing from anyone anywhere, let alone from a pianist with zero recognition in his own native country.
I agree he was not properly recognised and appreciated but zero is going too far.
Thank you so much for this! An incredible musician indeed!
A fabulous artist in a great program!
A great guy and an amazing pianist. I saw him in concert in Melbourne in 1972. He was the same age as I was. I will never forget this guy. He was such an inspiration for me as I went on to study piano to diploma level.
when will The Eulogy be available on amazon Prime?
It's available now on Docplay and Google Play.
Thank you for the heads up!
anyone know what the pianos are?
The one on the right looks like a Fazioli
1:15:07 someone brought their cat (lunch?) :-D
OpusTravels door squeaking
@@danyu8374no way is that a door
What is the piano?