It would be safe to say that Michael Houstoun has been the most well-known and certainly one of the most admired artists in the world of classical music in New Zealand for the past 50 years.
Born in 1952 he began his life as a pianist early, went on to win all the piano competitions New Zealand has to offer before venturing abroad in 1973, where he entered and placed third in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This led to a year of study with Rudolf Serkin at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In 1975 he placed fourth in the Leeds International Piano Competition and then in 1982 sixth in the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition.
In 1981 Michael followed his heart back to New Zealand where he has continued to live and concertise ever since, performing also in Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. He plays from a large repertoire which stretches from J.S. Bach to the present day, including 40 concertos and chamber music. He is a strong advocate of New Zealand music, with works from Douglas Lilburn to John Psathas regularly featuring in his programmes and recordings.
He has an extensive discography, including two releases (separated by over 20 years) of the complete sonatas of Beethoven. On both occasions he presented the cycle in seven-concert cycles throughout New Zealand. Since 1999 he has recorded for Rattle with five of his albums winning Classical Album of the Year awards. He has honorary degrees from Massey and Victoria universities, is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and a Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.
Michael Houstoun website: http://michaelhoustoun.co.nz/bio.html
After living overseas for six years - including a valuable period of study with Brigitte Wild in London - Michael returned home in 1981 where he has regularly performed recitals, concertos and chamber music all over the country year in year out. Most years he performs one or two new programs and consequently has built a very large repertoire including many contemporary works and commissions by New Zealand composers.
