• Concerts
• Waldstein
• Tempest
• Hammerklavier

10 March - 24 April 2013 VIEW TOUR GUIDE

“Outstanding Beethoven all round. The special attraction is the rare spiritual dimension in Houstoun’s playing of the serene finales... It’s as though Beethoven were no longer of this planet when he wrote them” The Listener

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ARTISTS: Michael Houstoun (piano)

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Beethoven’s cycle of 32 piano sonatas is remarkable. Written the whole length of his creative life, from the early Op 2 dedicated to Haydn to the mighty Op 111 which takes the piano into the realms of pure imagination, this is the “New Testament of the piano repertoire” and one of the supreme treasures of human artistic endeavour.

Their famous names – Moonlight, Tempest, Appassionata, Waldstein – have entered the pantheon of cultural history, and Houstoun presents them here after being “totally immersed” for 20 years with this most extraordinary, human, and powerful of composers.

Michael Houstoun chose to return to New Zealand after his spectacular sweep of final prizes in the world’s three most prestigious piano competitions – the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (1973), Leeds Competition (1975) and Tchaikovsky Competition (1982).

Hugely in demand for concertos with our finest orchestras and chamber concerts the length of the country – his regular CMNZ tours with the winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition included – he has been based here ever since, and is adding increasing solo recitals to his repertoire with his recent Goldberg and Beethoven Diabelli Variations.

In 2012 he was appointed CNZM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services as a pianist, and returns to Beethoven at the very height of his powers.

Part One of this year-long cycle includes three programmes each featuring either the Waldstein, Tempest or Hammerklavier. All three programmes will be performed over March and April in Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch.

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The Auckland concerts are part of The New Zealand International Piano Festival. Find out what else is on in the festival  by visiting www.lect.co.nz/new-zealand-international-piano-festival/ 

 

When & Where

Date	Programme	Time	Venue	Centre
10 March 13	Waldstein	5pm, free pre-concert talk 4pm	Municipal Theatre	Napier
24 March 13	Tempest	5pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Municipal Theatre	Napier
4 April 13	Waldstein	7.30pm, free pre-concert talk 6:30pm	Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre	Christchurch
5 April 13	Tempest	7.30pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre	Christchurch
6 April 13	Hammerklavier	4pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre	Christchurch
7 April 13	Hammerklavier	5pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Municipal Theatre	Napier
12 April 13	Waldstein	7.30pm, free pre-concert talk 6:30pm	Ilott Theatre	Wellington
14 April 13	Tempest	5pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Ilott Theatre	Wellington
15 April 13	Hammerklavier	7.30pm, NO free pre-concert talk	Ilott Theatre	Wellington
19 April 13	Waldstein	8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm	Auckland Concert Chamber	Auckland
20 April 13	Tempest	4.30, free pre-concert talk 3.30pm	Auckland Concert Chamber	Auckland
22 April 13	Hammerklavier	8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm	Auckland Concert Chamber	Auckland