Montville classical music venue gets high level endorsement

Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell and his wife Taryn and Sunshine Coast Council CEO, John Baker.

A Montville music venue that has for years been quietly flying in the world’s best classical musicians to perform at a private rainforest auditorium, has received an outstanding endorsement from Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

Lucas Parklands is set amongst 27 acres of native rainforest, just outside Montville village and not far from Lake Baroon and includes a private 150-seat auditorium purposely built for music performances.

The special venue recently hosted concerts by three classical music powerhouses: globally renown Montville cellist Sam Lucas, Russian-born piano maestro Konstantin Shamray, and fellow award-winning pianist and innovator Daniel Le.

Special guests at the events included Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli and CEO John Baker, as well as local Member for Glass House, Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell, and his wife Taryn Powell.

Mayor Natoli gave the event her glowing and enthusiastic endorsement.

“What an extraordinary way to spend the afternoon; to be here in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and have that quality and calibre of musician playing for us, that was just extraordinary,” Mayor Natoli said.

“It means that for classical music lovers, you can stay on the Sunshine Coast and hear your favourite type of music performed by world class professionals – those musicians were just absolutely first class and to be able to do that right here in the hinterland, how amazing!”

Lucas Parklands plays an important niche role in the Sunshine Coast arts sector: by bringing the world-class performers to Montville, local lovers of classical music have no need to travel to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to enjoy their niche choice of entertainment – also avoiding the additional costs of travel, accommodation and expensive dining. 

Music lovers can follow ‘Lucas Parklands’ on Facebook. Check for upcoming performances at: www.lucasparklands.com.au

Mayor Natoli also sang the praises of Sam Lucas, who played his first concert at Lucas Parklands as a boy, before progressing to become a world-class musician, recently appointed Principal Cellist of the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz (orchestra), in Germany.

“You’re looking at this performer who graces world stages,” Mayor Natoli said.

“He’s come from Montville, grew up here, performed here, and come back to perform here; how lucky are we? I feel so lucky to have been part of it today.”

The trio of musicians selected a repertoire that was unusual and impressive (as is the norm for Lucas Parklands) including, Movement 3 of the Brahms piano concerto No 2, with full cello solo, and the rarely-performed Ravel piano concerto for the left hand, commissioned by Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm during World War 1.

Ravel completed the fiendishly difficult work and presented it to Wittgenstein, allowing him his desperate wish to continue his performing career on his beloved piano.

For Lucas Parklands performance enquiries, phone 0409623228. For more information visit: https://lucasparklands.com.au/