Paul Lewis: Mozart+

Paul Lewis brings his piano recital to Newcastle City Hall on Wednesday 7 October, part of Musica Viva Australia's 2026 Concert Season tour. It's a solo program built around Mozart, but it doesn't stop there.

Lewis opens with two Mozart sonatas: Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K.330 and Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor, K.457. He's pairing them with selections from Poulenc's Improvisations pour le piano and Debussy's L'isle joyeuse. The two sonatas sit at opposite ends of the spectrum — one in a bright C major, the other in a moody C minor — and the French additions bring in Poulenc's elegant humour and Debussy's playful sensuality. It's a program that moves from the classical clarity of Mozart into the more colourful, modern textures of the early 20th century.

Lewis is a British pianist who's built his reputation on Beethoven and Schubert, and this recital sees him turn that same focus to Mozart. He's pushing back on the idea that Mozart's piano sonatas are secondary to his concertos, putting them front and centre instead. Critics have described his playing as "direct, honest, affectionate and charismatic", and have praised his ability to find "the beauty of simplicity at its highest level" — a good way to describe what he's aiming for with Mozart.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at Newcastle City Hall, 290 King St, Newcastle. Tickets are A$135, with a A$92 concession for students, A$65 for C Reserve, A$49, and A$20 for under-40s and children under 18, plus a booking fee.