Local artist profile: Dr Peter Butler

THIS week we speak with pianist, composer, music educator and Bendigo’s Women of Note community choir’s accompanist Dr Peter Butler.

What initially motivated you to have a go at piano?

As with almost every child’s journey into music, mine was instigated by my mother. Both of my parents were great music lovers, attending concerts of every description on a regular basis. Fortunately, I grew up in an era in which most homes, like ours, had a piano.

Piano playing was a commonplace undertaking. In time I found myself playing for all sorts of choirs, community groups, theatre companies, instrumentalists and singers. That is where the bulk of the learning takes place. It doesn’t stop when you finish taking formal lessons. I’ve been fortunate to make a living in music and continue to accompany all manner of students and experienced musicians on the piano every week. I practice every day.

Which other pianists inspire you?

In Australia we have so many outstanding young, and established, male and female concert pianists. I feel heartened knowing that the art of piano playing will not fade away any time soon.

I find the breathtakingly brilliant pianism of Derek Paravicini, a blind pianist on the Autistic spectrum – in the key of genius – awe-inspiring. Likewise, the staggering memory, and technical brilliance of the blind pianist Rachel Flowers, never ceases to astonish me.

What are some highlights you have from your journey so far?

The friendship and the camaraderie of the Women of Note Choir is one of its standout features. We were due to tour northern Italy and Austria in June 2020. The declaration of the pandemic put a stop to that.

How has your practice been affected by COVID?

COVID has decimated choirs and music performance groups across the world. The Women of Note through use of an online rehearsal schedule managed to survive pretty well intact. Like every other choir during the pandemic, recruitment of new members was severely curtailed. They are well and truly back in business, and welcome new members at any time.

How can people check out your work?

There are many examples of my original compositions on my website peterbutlermusic.com. Women of Note do not post performances online, however they perform regularly around Bendigo and throughout the region, and are well worth catching live in concert. They will perform at St Paul’s Cathedral alongside a number of outstanding regional and metropolitan choirs on Saturday, 24 May.

What would you say to young regional aspiring pianists who are thinking of having a red hot go at it?

I would start by asking yourself a few questions. What sort of music do you enjoy playing when you are left to your own devices? What performing situations do you see yourself playing in, and to what types of audience? In what ways can your piano playing bring enjoyment and pleasure into other people’s lives? Are you prepared to make compromises to your repertoire, so that it satisfies both your own needs and those of an audience?

When you can come up with an answer to these questions, you give your piano playing meaning, purpose, and direction. You will know exactly what to play, where to play it, and for whom.

Finally, try to have a selection of pieces at your fingertips at all times so that when someone asks you to play the piano, you can play something, however small, for them.