David Helfgott

Shine Helfgott was the subject of the 1996 film Shine, which dealt with the pianist's formative years and struggle with mental illness. Helfgott was portrayed by actors Geoffrey Rush (adult), Noah Taylor (teenager) and Alex Rafalowicz (child). Rush won numerous accolades for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. Helfgott's brother Les has described the portrayal of their father in both Shine and in Gillian Helfgott's biography as "all outright lies". David Helfgott's first wife Claire Papp has also said that Peter Helfgott was "quite badly maligned" in the film.

In a letter to the editor of Limelight, published in the September 2013 edition, Margaret and Les Helfgott refer to certain claims made in an article in the August 2013 edition and state that "there was no estrangement from members of Helfgott's family following his return to Australia. On the contrary, he moved straight back into the family home, and was cared for by our family. Dad was not 'overbearing', and his main objection to David's going abroad was his concern for his son's welfare." Of the two commercial recordings released by RCA, the American journal Fanfare Magazine was critical not only of Helfgott himself, but also of his producers, who were "marketing Helfgott's pain." The British magazine Gramophone was similarly scathing about the exploitative nature of their issue, which, the magazine said, falsely marketed Helfgott as an "unsung genius".

On stage, Helfgott is known for his unusual platform manner. In 1997, critic Anthony Tommasini noted that Helfgott "stares into the hall and renders a nonstop commentary of grunts, groans and mutterings".

Helfgott played piano in the Silverchair song "Emotion Sickness".

Helfgott tours Australia annually and plays a small number of recitals in other countries.

His 2015 European tour was the subject of a documentary, Hello, I Am David!

Personal life Helfgott lives in The Promised Land, a valley near Bellingen in New South Wales. In a 2016 interview, Gillian stated that Helfgott "has been misdiagnosed for decades", does not have schizophrenia, and had recently been diagnosed with autism.

Discography Albums + List of albums, with Australian chart positions Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS David Helfgott Released: 1991 Format: CD Label: – David Helfgott Plays Liszt Released: 1994 Format: CD Label: Rap Productions (RAPCD 190547–2) – Rachmaninov The Last Romantic Released: 1996 Format: CD Label: BMG Classics (74321 40378 2) 40 Shine (soundtrack) Released: August 1996 Format: CD Label: Philips (454 710 2) 14 Brilliantissimo Released: April 1997 Format: CD Label: BMG Classics (74321 46725 2) 40 Brave New World Released: August 1998 Format: CD Label: BMG Classics (74321 57813 2) 90 Pianissimo Released: 2009 Format: CD, Digital Label: Helfgott (2010-01) – With Love Released: 2010 Format: CD, Digital Label: Helfgott (2010-02) – Rach 3 (with Rhodri Clarke) Released: September 2018 Format: CD, Digital Label: 972235 –

Awards and nominations Helfgott was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by Edith Cowan University in 2004.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Australia Day Honours.

ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. 1991 David Helfgott Best Classical Album

Mo Awards The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. (wins only) 1996 David Helfgott Australian Show Business Ambassador of the Year