Shan Liu (Auckland), Henry Meng (Auckland) and Otis Prescott-Mason (Wellington) have been announced as the finalists for this year’s 24/25 National Concerto Competition (piano).
This announcement follows two intensive days (3- 4 December) of outstanding performances by 22 young pianists from across Aotearoa.
The adjudicators in charge of the 24/25 piano event are acclaimed pianists and pedagogues Rachel Fuller, Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland and Timothy Young, Head of Piano at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne.
Both adjudicators will return to Christchurch to judge the grand final on March 22, 2025. Which will see the three finalists each present their chosen piano concertos with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of James Judd.
The National Concerto Competition, which showcases instrumental soloists or exclusively piano entrants on alternate years, is one of New Zealand’s most respected classical performance events. The prestigious competition has helped to jumpstart the careers of many of New Zealand’s most influential classical musicians.
Past winners include Michael Houstoun – piano (1971), Roger Brown – cello (1976), Mark Menzies – violin (1986), Hamish McKeich – bassoon (1988), Ashley Brown – cello (1994), Henry Wong Doe – piano (1995), Natalia Lomienko – violin (2000), Benjamin Morrison – violin (2004) and Amalia Hall – violin (2006).
The competition is run by the National Concerto Competition Trust, with the support of the executive and administration team at the Christchurch Civic Music Council. The event has survived for 57 years thanks to the support of sponsors, funding organisations and some private funders.
In recent years, costs for running the competition have sky-rocketed, with the annual budget now in the vicinity of $140,000 per year. The National Concerto Competition Trust have established a Give a Little Page to enable music supporters throughout New Zealand to donate and help ensure this event continues into the future. All donations over $5.00 are tax deductible.
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/national-concerto-competition-trust
