The Eulogy

Synopsis

The tragic story of child prodigy pianist-composer Geoffrey Tozer, inspired by former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s searing eulogy for the artist.

THE EULOGY unravels the truths and myths behind the life and career of one of Australia’s most brilliant, prolific and least understood concert pianists, Geoffrey Tozer. As an 8-year-old child prodigy the world was Geoffrey Tozer’s oyster, and he astonished audiences around the world with his remarkable talent. As an adult Geoffrey Tozer continued to perform in Australia and internationally but for a career that promised and delivered so much, Tozer’s end was shocking. At his memorial service in 2009, Tozer’s friend and former Prime Minister, Paul Keating delivered a searing eulogy, painting a haunting picture of a lonely genius shunned by the Australian musical establishment. Intrigued by Keating’s controversial eulogy and spurred to find out what went wrong with Tozer’s career, esteemed conductor and music educator Richard Gill goes on a journey with members of Tozer’s family, inner circle and musical colleagues to discover the man behind Keating’s eulogy. The epic tale and musical legacy of one of the greatest pianists Australia never really knew is finally revealed.