By Luke Voogt
A member of one of Geelong’s most musical families, Philip Healey, will fill the city’s basilica with the sweet melancholy of violin next Wednesday.
“The acoustics are amazing with the reflective surfaces and cavernous interior,” he told the Indy this week.
“The breadth of sound and colour you can get is incredible.”
The Thompson violinist will join his father Tom Healey and mother Helen Seymour in a free five-part series, Music at the Basilica.
“The performances they’ve got going on are fantastic,” he said.
In his solo recital, Elegies, Philip will play Bach, Stravinsky and Biber classics, along with the newer works of Australian composers.
Later this year, he will add his voice to the church’s choir.
“I’m singing in the same choir as Dad and so is Mum. He’s been around for ages and Mum is a singer in her own right.”
Philip learnt the violin from the age of six.
“I was really keen and (my parents) knew a good teacher,” he said.
“The violin, and strings in general, are the most expressive instruments.”
He now teaches Geelong’s young prodigies, after touring Australia and overseas with Australian Concert Orchestra and Australian Philharmonic Orchestras.
Flautist Brighid Mantelli and organist Frank De Rosso will perform in the weeks following Philip’s recital.
On 29, Helen and Tom will combine for a night of poetry and organ. The couple has long been involved in Basilica’s music program and choirs around the country.
Their daughter and Philip’s younger sister Bridgette has also followed in her parents’ musical footsteps, having studied jazz for three years.
Soprano Sian Williams will sing on 5 April.
