Piano soloists star in August

Piano soloists star in August

August brings with it New Zealand’s leading pianists, Diedre Irons and Michael Houstoun, performing with the Auckland Philharmonia on 19 and 26 August respectively, as part of the orchestra’s Vero Premier Series.

On 19 August, under the baton of Marc Taddei, Diedre Irons performs Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, a work she recently collaborated on with Maestro Taddei for a recording of all Beethoven’s Piano Concertos.

The following week, Michael Houstoun takes the stage for the world première of New Zealand composer Kenneth Young’s Piano Concerto, a work commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia for Michael Houstoun, and a work that has moved from being for the left hand to being for two hands.

Both Diedre Irons and Michael Houstoun are great favourites with New Zealand audiences and their concerts are always very special. These concerts promise to be no exception.

Thursday 19 August – 8pm, Aotea Centre Conductor: Marc Taddei; Soloist: Diedre Irons (piano) Programme: Wagner: Rienzi Overture Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5, Emperor Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2

Thursday 26 August – 8pm, Auckland Town Hall Conductor: Steven Smith; Soloist: Michael Houstoun (piano) Programme: Kodály: Dances of Galánta Kenneth Young: Piano Concerto (world première) Brahms: Symphony No.2

Adult tickets from $20; concessions available (service fees may apply). Phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on 307 5139.

The Auckland Philharmonia gratefully acknowledges Vero, the major sponsor of this series. The Auckland Philharmonia receives major funding from Creative New Zealand and a major grant from Auckland City.

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