VISITORS to the Coffs Harbour Regional Art Gallery were treated to more than just fine art when a German backpacker provided an impromptu and moving musical performance last week.
Marius Walther, a 19-year-old from the small town of Bad Waldsee in southern Germany, spent hours tickling the ivories on the gallery’s piano, much to the delight of volunteer staff and visitors.
He had stumbled across the gallery by chance after visiting the Coffs Harbour City Library to send an email home to his family.
“I asked if I could play for a few minutes and they (staff) said ‘yeah, sure’,” Marius said.
About four hours later he was still playing, reciting music from memory and playing new pieces from Final Fantasy that he had printed from the internet.
One gallery staff member said Marius’ playing was so beautiful that it had brought tears to the eyes of some visitors as they wandered throughout the gallery.
“I guess people were very touched by the combination of the music and the pictures,” Marius said.
Marius hadn’t played any music since leaving home in September, but he took the opportunity to indulge in his great love during his week’s stay on the Coffs Coast.
“Music is a big part of my life and I hope to study film music when I go back home,” he said.