Stephen De Pledge
Sunday 26 July
Stephen De Pledge, piano
Stephen's programme features Beethoven’s first sonata, written when he was just 12 years old, and his last, written at the end of his eventful life. Widely regarded as one of the pinnacles of the repertoire, the sonata Op.111 is a profound and moving work. The programme concludes with two characterful pieces of Liszt, and a quirky new work from London-based NZ composer Jeroen Speak.
Programme
Sebastián de Albero | Sonata in E
Ludwig van Beethoven | Sonata in E flat, WoO 47 no.1
Ludwig van Beethoven | Sonata op.111
—interval—
Improvisations
Jeroen Speak (NZ) | shapes, symmetries and sounds
Franz Liszt | Sposalizio
Franz Liszt | Wilde Jagd
Artist Biography
New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician since winning the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Gold Medal in his final year of study. Concerto performances include the BBC Scottish Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, Philharmonia (London) and New London Orchestras. He has broadcast for BBC radio and television, and made more than 20 commercial recordings, including premiere recordings for Arvo Pärt, Henryk Gorecki and Ned Rorem. He has collaborated with many musicians, including the Berlin Philharmonic’s Wind Quintet, the Scottish Ensemble and Chamber Domaine.
Stephen has performed at many international festivals, including Bargemusic (New York), Edinburgh International Festival and City of London Festival, often giving the world premiere of new works. He has commissioned many composers in New Zealand and abroad and has amassed a large body of new work for piano solo and ensembles. In addition to his performing career Stephen is Head of Piano at the University of Auckland.