Piano favourite returns

One of New Zealand’s most exciting and versatile musicians, pianist Stephen De Pledge, will give a concert at the Warkworth Town Hall this Sunday, May 28.

De Pledge studied at the University of Auckland, and then with Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

His career was launched after winning the Gold Medal from the Guildhall and he has since maintained a diverse and wideranging performing schedule as a soloist, chamber musician and song accompanist. His has toured throughout the UK, including five solo recitals in the Wigmore Hall in London, where he made his acclaimed debut in 1999. He has also given solo performances in Hong Kong, Italy, France, Singapore, Japan, Australia and the USA. Concerto appearances include the Philharmonia (London) and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, and performances in the Barbican and Fairfield Halls.

De Pledge has a repertoire that spans music from the 17th to the 21st centuries and the Warkworth audience can look forward to hearing Bach’s G minor English Suite and

Stephen De Pledge is no stranger to Warkworth Music audiences.

Mozart’s dramatic Sonata in C minor. The concert, which is presented by Warkworth Music, will also include 12 new minute-long etudes written for Rae de Lisle’s Fit4Piano series by some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most respected composers, the characterful Sketches of Amy Beach and Manuel de Falla’s famous Ritual Fire Dance. The programme will conclude with some entertaining improvisations.

Anyone who enjoys piano music will not want to miss this special concert, which starts at 4pm.

Tickets $35 at the door and online through www.warkworthmusic.org.nz School students are free.