Internationally acclaimed pianist comes to Wollongong

Aug 20, 2004

Classical pianist Stephen Hough will make his first visit to Wollongong for a one-night only concert at the Wollongong Town Hall on Tuesday, August 31.

The School of Music and Drama at the University of Wollongong's Faculty of Creative Arts will host the evening of music featuring Viennese and Spanish classical pieces.

Hough has emerged as a unique presence on the international scene with a particular interest in discovering unusual and neglected works. He has played with some of the world's finest orchestras and gives recitals regularly in major halls and series around the world.

Since winning first prize in the Naumburg International Piano Competition in New York in 1983, he has gone on to acquire an extensive catalogue of around 40 recordings, many of which have won international prizes.

In 1996 his Hyperion CD of concertos by Sharwenka and Sauer with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Lawrence Foster, was awarded Gramophone Magazine's 'Concerto Record of the Year' as we ll as their overall 'Recording of the Year.' Hough received this award again in 2002.

In 1998 his release 'New York Variations' was chosen as Best Classical CD of the Year by TIME magazine and, in addition, Hough has received two Grammy nominations. He was also honoured with a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2001.

Hough's 2003/2004 season includes recital debuts at Carnegie Hall and in concert with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Centre, and return recital appearances at the Royal Festival Hall, London, and the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. In April 2004, he completed his live recordings of the complete Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Andrew Litton.

Hough is also strongly committed to performing and promoting contemporary music.

When: Tuesday, August 31 at 7.30pm

***Media please note: Stephen Hough will be rehearsing during the afternoon of Tuesday 31 August in the town hall for possible photo/filming opportunities. Any advance publicity about the concert would also be appreciated.

Where: Wollongong Town Hall (cnr Crown and Kembla Street), Wollongong

Cost: $29 adult, $17 concession and $10 'student rush'.

Bookings: Call IPAC on (02) 4226 3366 or online: www.ipac.org.au

For further information: contact the Head of the School of Music and Drama, Dr Ian McGrath, on 4221 3581 or Vicky Wallace on 4221 4126

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128