FROM ROME: Keep in touch with the Italian opera and classical music scene by reading Giuseppe Pennisi's regular reports.
VIDEO PODCAST: John Dante Prevedini leads a discussion about Youth Involvement in Classical Music - this specially extended illustrated feature includes contributions from Christopher Morley, Gerald Fenech, Halida Dinova, Patricia Spencer and Roderic Dunnett.
Australian-based composer and pianist Mark Isaacs was born in London on 22 June 1958, into a musical family that had representatives in both the classical and jazz worlds. His family emigrated to Australia when he was four, and he began to study piano at age five, began improvising at nine and composing classically from the age of twelve. At fourteen he played the solo part in his own piano concerto on Australian National TV.
Whilst already recognised as a major emerging jazz player in Australia, he began university studies in classical piano and composition, initially in Sydney.
He continues to have parallel careers in jazz and classical music, and has achieved widespread recognition in both genres, as both composer and pianist. His first symphony received its first performance from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in October 2013.
Further information: markisaacs.com