Westminster, Hollywood … now it’s Maleny’s turn
By Sonia Isaacs
FROM performing in front of Hollywood royalty to actual royalty, one of the world’s leading violinists, Courtenay Cleary, is now looking forward to a very special one-off performance in Maleny.
Courtenay has already scaled the heights of a stellar career, proving herself one of the leading violinists of her generation and is fast becoming a highly sought after soloist and chamber musician both on the national and international stage.
She performed twice for Queen Elizabeth II including at Westminster Abbey, which was also broadcast live in BBC.
The Queenslander has even played at a private concert at Hollywood megastar Hugh Jackman’s house.
Now Courtenay is set to perform the first event in the Maleny Arts Council’s 2024 program, on Sunday March 10.
“I’m really looking forward to this one,” she said.
“To be able to play with (long time musical collaborator) Alex Raineri is extra special.”
She said she was excited to be bringing a mixed program which offered joy and sparkle, virtuosity and tenderness in equal measure.
“We have a passion for playing romantic music, and I’m particularly looking forward to performing the Respighi piece,” she said.
“It’s been on my bucket list because it’s quite technically challenging, but it’s just a lush, stunningly beautiful piece and I’m looking forward to playing it for Maleny audiences.”
Completing her studies at The Julliard School, New York and the Royal Academy of Music, London, the 30-year-old has been the recipient of numerous accolades, prestigious scholarship programs and awards.
Courtenay first picked up a violin when she was three, and before long had fallen in love with the instrument.
“It was all I wanted to do when I was little,” she said.
“I just wanted to practice.
“I loved being in the string orchestra at school and then joined Queensland Youth Orchestra.
“It’s always been part of my life and something I’ve always enjoyed which is great because now it doesn’t really feel like work.”
Courtenay said her 2017 performance in front of the late Queen was “pretty special”.
“It led to a lot of other opportunities because that was such a high profile performance,” she explained.
“I also played again for the Queen at Buckingham Palace for the Commonwealth Heads of Government opening ceremony, which was a lovely experience too.”
A private performance at Hugh Jackman’s house has also been a very cool experience.
Courtenay said in 2020 she was invited to play following her Australian American Association (AAA) Dame Joan Sutherland award win.
“Hugh Jackman was heavily involved with the AAA, so some award recipients and special guests got to go to his house in New York. I got to play a piece based on improvisation alongside a digeridoo player – it was very Australian and very cool!”
Courtenay appears in Maleny on March 10. See page 28 for ticket details.
