N.Z. PIANIST WON ACCLAIM ON EUROPEAN TOUR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 15087, 22 September 1949, Page 5

N.Z. PIANIST WON ACCLAIM ON EUROPEAN TOUR

Carrying the banner for British musicians through Fiance, Italy and Switzerland last year, Peter Cooper, a young New Zeaalnd pianist, won the acclaim of Continental audiences and critics, traditionally into, erant of British musicianship. In the course of a rapid tour of Australia- and his homeland he has arrived in Wellington, where he will give three lecitals in the Town Hal). Concert Chamber. Since winning a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in 1940 Mr Cooper has had a varied and interesting career. The war detained him in Sydney, where he appeared with the A.B.C. and at many recitals before he joined the A.I.F. with the unusual rank of Warrant Officer in music, spending four years mainly in the East Indies. He was one of the first concert pianists to be televised at the Alexandra Palace in 1946, when British television programmes recommenced. '"lt was something of an ordeal," he said. "Preparation for the quarter-hour takes two hours, and a yellow dress shirt has to be worn. The whole impression is that so ; ar it is very mucn a stunt —music seems to have no real place." Study at the Royal Academy, frequent 8.8. C. broadcasts, recitals at Wigmore Hall, and provincial tours kept Peter Cooper fully occupied until last year, when he undertook the Continental tour for the- British Council. This was followed by three months' study with Edwin Fischer, a noted exponent of Beethoven and Bach, at Lucerne. During his brief stay in Australia this year Mr Cooper gay: a number of broadcasts for the A.B.C, and recitals as soloist and with orchestra. His New Zealand tour has been a strenuous one, including a tightlypacked itinerary for the Community Arts Service in the Auckland province. '"There has boon an enormous development in Australian and New Zealand music in the last three years," he said. A much greater degree Ox discernment was apparent among the concert-going pub.ic, and that was all to the good. After his recitals in Wellington Peter Cooper will go north again for C A.S., leaving lor England on October 22, where he is booked for further 8.8. C. broadcasts and concert appearances.