National tour creates classic vibe

Music

Acclaimed concert percussionist Nick Parnell will this month present Australia's first national tour of classical music performed on the vibraphone.

The Elder Conservatorium of Music graduate will be accompanied by fellow alumnus, concert pianist Leigh Harrold, in a 17-date tour that showcases the world's most loved classical masterpieces.

The duo will kick off their Classical Vibes tour in Adelaide on Wednesday 23 April, followed by performances in the Clare Valley (24 April), Flinders Ranges (26 April) and Tanunda (27 April) before touring the rest of the country.

Parnell will present the likes of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Chopin's Nocturnes and Gershwin's Preludes, specifically arranged for the resonating sounds of the vibraphone.

In conjunction with the Classical Vibes tour Parnell will also release his latest CD of the same name, produced by ABC Classics.

"The tour and subsequent CD was born out of my desire to bring classical repertoire to the vibraphone, an instrument primarily used in jazz. The vibes have a soothing, warm sound that I wanted to use to perform classical music in a completely new and fresh way," he said.

"The music presented on this tour will be very well-known to anyone who loves classical music and, although different, it will be interpreted with integrity and appreciation of the composers' original scores."

Labelled "Australia's most exciting young percussionist", Parnell is an award-winning musician who consistently breaks traditional boundaries.

In 2004 he was named the Most Outstanding Graduate of the Elder Conservatorium after completing a Bachelor of Music, Honours and Masters degrees in Percussion Performance.

For information and booking details, visit www.nickparnell.com

Nick is featured on the University of Adelaide's Life Impact website: www.adelaide.edu.au/lifeimpact