Pianist all set to showcase talents - June 2016

Wanganui Music Society is teaming up with Whanganui pianist Liam Wooding for a recital next month.

Former WHS student, Mr Wooding will perform music by Beethoven, Lizst, Boulez and two New Zealand composers, Janet Jennings and Alex Taylor, at the July 2 concert.

Mr Wooding is studying music at postgraduate level under Katherine Austin at the University of Waikato after completing his initial studies at the University of Auckland under Rae de Lisle. He has participated in several workshops, including the Adam Chamber Music Summer School, Aroha String Quartet International Academy, Decoda/Skidmore Chamber Music Institute in New York, New Zealand Opera School and the Nelson Composer's Workshop. He has performed concertos with the University of Auckland Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as a prizewinner in the 2015 National Concerto Competition, and has recently made his debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Also invested in the performance of new music, he was awarded a Lilburn Trust Performance Prize and recently gave the New Zealand premiere performance of George Crumb's Apparition.

He is also involved in Unstuck Opera's production of Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed, which opened last month at the Basement Theatre in Auckland.

Mr Wooding works as a teaching assistant at the University of Waikato and has been a music teacher at Wanganui High School.

He will perform on Saturday at Whanganui War Memorial Hall, Watt St. Tickets from the Royal Wanganui Opera House or at the door, adults $20, seniors $15, school students free, music society members $10.