A golden opportunity to hear Michael Houstoun at The Centre, Kerikeri

Few would argue that Michael Houstoun is New Zealand’s foremost concert pianist. His reputation is based on musical achievement both at home and abroad. As a young pianist he was a prize winner at a number of prestigious competitions, notably the Van Cliburn, the Leeds and Tchaikowsky.

The opportunities to hear and see him play are rare but a treat lies in store for all music lovers at The Centre, Kerikeri on Saturday 28 February at 7.30. Michael is making a welcome return to the Bay of Islands to give a recital of music by Bach, Brahms, Debussy and Chopin.

Much has been written about this prodigious artist over the years and he continues to delight audiences at home and abroad. Concert tours have taken him to USA, Germany, Holland and more recently  Australia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“Michael Houstoun was simply stunning, ….. never disappoints. …..the sounds he draws from the instrument show him to be master of his craft.” - The Press, Christchurch  Nov 2008

The Kerikeri National Piano Competition (KNPC) Trust is delighted to host this recital as the first of a three concert series to be held in 2009 which will bring New Zealand’s foremost pianists to Kerikeri. As Patron of the Piano Competition, Michael Houstoun has a particular link with Northland and he is enthusiastic about the opportunity to return to give a concert particularly at the new Kerikeri Arts Centre and on its magnificent Steinway grand piano. Concert goers should not miss this chance to hear this wonderful instrument played by a master of the keyboard.

KNPC Trust is a charitable trust funded by corporate and private sponsors, with NZ’s most acclaimed concert pianist, Michael Houstoun, as its patron. The trust’s primary purpose is to conduct NZ’s most recognized classical music piano competition for young talented artists, held every second year over 4 days in the first week in July at the Kerikeri Arts Centre and involving a prize pool of $25,000. The competition format involves around 18 contestants who, in the presence of an adjudicator, each perform a sonata and a recital from memory under concert performance conditions including a large audience. The format also involves several cocktail receptions, a recital by the adjudicator, and a master class for competitors provided by the adjudicator. In addition to the competition event, the KNPC Trust holds 3 or 4 piano recital events between competitions, featuring well-known and acclaimed pianists, the purpose of which is to maintain the profile of the competition and the trust, and to raise funds.

Further information on this press release is available from Jane Jackets, a trustee of the KNPC Trust, who may be reached by phone 09 4016488 or via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it