DEBUTS WITH ORCHESTRAS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30814, 28 July 1965, Page 18

DEBUTS WITH ORCHESTRAS

Two talented young pianists will make their debuts as orchestral soloists in concerts in Christchurch this week.

Richard Mapp (left) aged 12, will play Mendelssohn’s Cappriccio Brilliant with the Civic Orchestra on Wednesday evening and Graeme Humphrey, aged 17, will play Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A (K 488 with the Christchurch Orchestral Society on Saturday evening. “Richard's astonishing technical ability will be exploited

by the virtuoso Mendelssohn piece,” says John Ritchie, who will be conducting the CivicOrchestra. “But there is more to this youngster’s musicianship than technique; he had a surprising ability to appreciate the meaning and contour of a phrase and to execute the composer’s message with conviction. His debut may well be something of great import ance for the future of New Zealand’s music.”

“Richard is delighted to be playing in this concert.” his

mother, Mrs R. A. Mapp, said. “We all feel it’s a wonderful honour.

“Richard has been learning the piano for six years from Mrs Empson. He works very hard and 1 suppose he averages two hours’ practice a day. He would like to make the piano his career, but he knows it’s such a hard road to the top. “He is a direct descendant of Richard Wagner—it's way back on his father’s side, but it’s there. Perhaps that is where his talent comes from.”

Richard is a Form II pupil of St. Andrew’s College. Graeme Humphrey, who is in the upper sixth at Linwood High School, has an impressive list of musical achievements. He has won four scholarships from the Christchurch competitions, obtained top Canterbury marks from Trinity College, London, for five years, won the Katherine Lund and the Violet Ward prizes from the Royal Schools of Music, won a talent quest held by the N.Z.B.C. early this year, and has just i received his A.T.C.L. Scholarship He is leaving Christchurch early in November to take up a three-year scholarship at the Royal Schools of Music in London. “I hope to return to New Zealand,” said Graeme, “but I don’t know what line of music I’ll be doing—teaching or performing. I’ll see what happens when I’m away.” Graeme has been learning the piano for 11 years and in the last few years has been a pupil of Mrs Irene Lassen. The orchestra in Saturday’s concert will be conducted by Stephen Delaney.