Sydney Symphony’s recitals by top international pianists in the intimate and warm acoustic of the City Recital Hall are a yearly highlight for concertgoers.

This year was no exception with memorable performances from young Albanian French pianist Marie-Ange Nguci and Spaniard Javier Perianes, but the icing on the cake was snaring the services of the redoubtable Lilya Zilberstein to close the season.

Lilya Zilberstein. Photo © Andrej Grilc

Born in Moscow and resident in Germany, the 58-year-old first caused a sensation in 1987 when she won the Busoni Competition in Bolzano, Italy, opening up a star-studded career both on stage and in the studio where she has notched up an impressive discography with Deutsche Grammophon.

But it’s not only as a soloist that she has made her mark. Her collaborations with Claudio Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and as a duettist with Martha Argerich have won her accolades. She is also a holder of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Prize in Siena, alongside – among others – Gidon Kremer, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Krystian Zimerman – and is the first woman to chair the classical piano department at the University of Music...