Houstoun tour

Press, 10 October 1984, Page 18

Houstoun tour

New Zealand’s most celebrated pianist, Michael Houstoun, will undertake an extensive concert tour of the country later this month.

In his second national tour for the Music Federation of New Zealand he will visit 22 towns and cities, presenting programmes including music by Mozart, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt and Beethoven.

Bom in Timaru in 1952, Michael Houstoun began his piano study at the age of five. At 16 he began lessons with Maurice Till in Christchurch. The following 14 years saw him establishing himself at home and abroad as a pianist of international calibre. This became particularly apparent with his

high placings in various international competitions, such as the Tchaikovsky International Competition of 1982.

Since 1973 he has played in most of the world’s most famous concert venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Washington’s Kennedy Centre and the Sydney Opera House. At present living in New Zealand, Michael Houstoun spends an average of six months a year travelling locally and internationally to perform. So far in 1984 he has played in Singapore, made his fourth recording, made his conducting debut with the Auckland Regional Orchestra and performed as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.