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28th February 2009 - Michael Houstoun Concert
Michael Houstoun excels - Press Review
The early 70s found a young student being introduced as a ‘rising star” by the conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to a full house in the Dunedin Town Hall. Their Steinway grand piano came alive with the technically perfect performance of this young pianist (whose piano studies started at the age of five) in his first Dunedin appearance with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The international music scene also then became aware of this pre-eminent young pianist (born in Timaru) when he won prizes at three of the world’s most
prestigious piano competitions, 1973 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, 1975 Leeds Competition and 1982 in the Tchaikovsky Competition.
So it was with considerable pride The Centre at Kerikeri welcomed this now mature star, Michael Houstoun to a full house on Saturday night, February 28, when their Steinway grand piano resounded to an outstanding performance of Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Claude Debussy, and Frederic Chopin. The rapt audience experienced the music and witnessed the precision playing of each of the works so that we could get some sense of the meaningful compositions, but the passion of Michael’s performance surpasses that experienced by the writer, of the young student pianist in Dunedin.
Clearly his significant experience in a performing career in the Pacific region and his now wide piano repertoire for solo piano, 40 different piano concertos and chamber music has enhanced his ability to wow New Zealanders. Michael has made New Zealand his homeland and is an active patron of the Kerikeri National Piano Competition Trust.
It was a night to remember, once again Michael has excelled.
Brian Carter, Northland Age, 3rd March 09
Press review
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
Press review
A concert by pianist Michael Houstoun
At The Centre Kerikeri
Michael Houstoun’s concert at The Centre Kerikeri on Saturday was special, for many reasons.
Houstoun, New Zealand’s most respected classical pianist, offered a concert which provided just one treat after another for lovers of piano music. It was the first concert by a professional musician on The Centre’s Steinway piano, and it was extraordinarily appropriate for him to do the honours, because he was one of the expert appraisers of the piano when it was being considered for purchase by The Centre’s managing trust. He is also patron of Kerikeri’s biennial National Piano Competition.
The Steinway had not been heard since it was used by the young entrants in last year’s competition.
The first treat was the J. S. Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in which we heard beautifully articulated musical shapes, combined with an authoritative sense of style for
each of the seven dance movements in this most melodic of the French Suites.
Next was the set of Variations on an Original Theme by Johannes Brahms. His performance of this technically difficult music gave us full sense of the beautiful rich harmony and complexity of melody.
Suite Bergamasque by Debussy finished the first half.
What a pleasure it was to hear this suite performed in its entirety. While Clair De Lune may be the only movement instantly recognised by most people, the other three movements all show a different character and are a delight in their own right.
Houstoun’s playing captured the different moods to perfection.
The second half of this lovely programme was all Chopin. The Sonata in Bb minor which contains the well known Funeral March, Two Nocturnes Op37 and Four Etudes from Op 25 (Nos. 1, 7, 5andl2).
The extensive and informative programme notes by Laurence Jenkins quote Schumann criticising the Sonata and saying that Chopin, in this work, had “simply bound together four of his most unruly children”.
Maybe, but we today are left with a work of music that has its own unique character and appeal. This was a most impressive performance by Houstoun.
His rendition of the Funeral March movement was spellbinding and his playing of the whole Sonata held the audience captive throughout. The Chopin Nocturnes are amongst the most popular in the classical repertoire and his offering of the two Op37 Nocturnes was very welcome.
Most pianists who reach a reasonable level of accomplishment can play and enjoy this music, but it is always good to hear a real master play them.
Houstoun demonstrated true skill — always lyrical and particularly beautiful in the passages of thirds and sixths in the G major Nocturne.
It is hard to realise sometimes that the Chopin Etudes are essentially studies written to develop different aspects of technique.
The technical virtuosity and flair with which Houstoun played these Etudes demonstrates why he is deservedly regarded as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished pianists.
Michael Houstoun will be returning to Kerikeri on May 16 with Diedre Irons for a duo piano concert.
Reviewer:
Jill Cottle, March 2008
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