This July, the inaugural Keys of Gold festival invites audiences on a month-long exploration of Central Victoria’s rich musical tapestry.
Presented by Bendigo Fine Music, the festival offers 10 concerts across 7 historic venues in Bendigo, Castlemaine, Inglewood, and Maldon; showcasing 27 unique keyboard instruments and featuring 45 world-class performers including world-renowned concert organist Thomas Heywood.
More than a series of concerts, Keys of Gold is a journey through time, celebrating the craftsmanship, culture, and communities that have cherished these magnificent instruments.
From grand cathedrals to intimate chapels, each venue resonates with history and artistry, offering audiences an immersive experience that bridges the past and present.
Curated and performed by some of Victoria’s most gifted organists and musicians, Keys of Gold unveils the hidden majesty of regional heritage.
Festival highlights include
- Perfect Match
Friday, 11 July 2025, 6:00 PM
St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Bendigo
A delightful evening featuring harmonious duets and solo performances that highlight the synergy between different keyboard instruments.
- Castlemaine Double
Saturday, 12 July 2025, 11:00 AM
Castlemaine Uniting Church, Castlemaine
A unique concert experience featuring dual performances that celebrate the rich musical heritage of Castlemaine.
- Collide with Briana Leaman
Saturday, 12 July 2025, 4:00 PM
St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo
Oboist Briana Leaman collaborates with pianist Yasmin Rowe in a program that melds classical and contemporary compositions.
- Concerti Plus
Sunday, 13 July 2025, 3:00 PM
St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo
Thomas Heywood and pianist Alexey Yemtsov perform transcriptions of piano concertos by Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn, reimagined for organ and piano.
- A Rare Pair
Friday, 18 July 2025, 6:00 PM
Long Gully Uniting Church, Bendigo
Thomas Heywood (organ) and Yelian He (cello) present a program that bridges the rich sonorities of organ and cello.
- Power and Grace
Saturday, 19 July 2025, 11:00 AM
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Maldon
A dynamic program featuring works by Boëllmann, Bach, and Doppler, highlighting the organ’s versatility and expressive power.
- Duelling Rhythms
Saturday, 19 July 2025, 4:00 PM
St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo
Pianists Ian Munro and Yasmin Rowe engage in a spirited performance of Kapustin’s Sinfonietta and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, showcasing rhythmic vitality and pianistic prowess.
- Alexandre the Great
Sunday, 20 July 2025, 3:00 PM
Langley Estate, White Hills
Thomas Heywood and Yasmin Rowe present Saint-Saëns’ Six Duos for Harmonium and Piano, exploring the rich textures of these rarely performed works.
- Match Made in Heaven
Friday, 25 July 2025, 6:00 PM
St Kilian’s Catholic Church, Bendigo
An enchanting evening featuring organist Thomas Heywood, trumpeter Kaid Normington, and soprano Jacqueline Vine, performing works by Purcell, Charpentier, and others.
- Olde Worlde Favourites
Saturday, 26 July 2025, 11:00 AM
St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Inglewood
A nostalgic program including Mendelssohn’s Hear Ye, Israel, Handel’s Hornpipe, and Gounod’s Ave Maria, performed by Thomas Heywood and Merlyn Quaife AM.
- There’s a Crowd Pleaser
Sunday, 27 July 2025, 3:00 PM
St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo
A grand finale featuring Thomas Heywood (organ), Alexey Yemtsov, and Yasmin Rowe (piano), delivering a program designed to delight audiences with beloved classics.
“Each of these instruments is a time capsule,” says Thomas Heywood. “They are living, breathing artworks, crafted by hand, voiced for the acoustics of their space, and absolutely irreplaceable.
“Keys of Gold is about connecting people to that magic, reminding us that musical heritage lives not only in concert halls, but in the very heart of our regional communities.”
For tickets and the full program, visit Bendigo Fine Music: bendigofinemusic.com/keys-of-gold, or Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/keys-of-gold-concerti-plus.
This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 11 July 2025.
