Playing the vibraphone, or vibes, takes dazzling dexterity and supreme delicacy, both of which Nick Parnell and his mallets of steel are skillfully able to capture.
Re-imagining music’s greatest hits, Nick Parnell is one of the worlds foremost vibraphone players. Familiar to some but inspirational to all, Parnell makes old music new again by injecting energy into repertoire and exploring a world of sound that most are unacquainted with.
It is evident in his latest album ‘Vibes Virtuoso’ why he is celebrated as one of the most exciting vibes players in the world today. Cleverly re-creating favourites like Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’, Albeniz’s ‘Tango’ and Handel’s ‘Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba’ into a more vibrant listening experience, Parnell’s spirit of recklessness prevails upon the stage.
“With the new ‘Vibes Virtuoso’ project, I wanted to push myself to the limit not only technically but also musically. The new album and show therefore contain some ‘chop burning’ repertoire as well as some simply beautiful melodies.”
Looking like a xylophone but sounding more like a piano, the vibraphone is apart of the percussion family and with an ongoing ambition to make available classical music for everyone, Parnell wants to show audiences the glorious soundscapes it can make.
“I am passionate about showing audiences what can really be done with a vibraphone. When played well, it has the most amazing and beautiful sound that transports audiences to a heavenly place. The vibes combined with piano accompaniment makes for a completely unique concert experience for the listener.”
A double bill performance, Allegro Trio will warm up the stage with ‘The Great Masters’, Beethoven and Hydn. Comprising of Shaohua Chen-Merrett, Vicky Hong and Hugh Won, their dynamic, passionate and entertaining high quality performances have been delighting audiences since 2011.
Performing alongside pianist Julie Sargeant, Parnell is the Steel of ‘Ivory & Steel’ that unites two talented acts in a classical music night. His genre-bending makeover accompanied by the sweet sounds of Sargeant’s piano will take you from the technically challenging to sheer lyrical beauty in the space of a heartbeat.
‘Ivory & Steel’ plays at the Redland Performing Arts Centre Auditorium on Tuesday 14th October and also at ‘Vibes Virtuoso’ at a number of venues around Australia.
