Pianomania — put it at the top of your Liszt

LIXIN ZHANG: Having begun piano lessons as a four-year-old, Zhang has performed two solo concerts at festivals in Mallorca, Spain, and has made concerto appearances with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Bach Musica Orchestra. Last year, he recorded the CD Play with Rattle Records which rose to first place on the RNZ classical charts in the first week of its release. In recent years, his wins include the National Young Performer Award for piano, the Wallace National Piano Competition, the Wallace National Junior Piano Competition and a couple of scholarships. He was recruited this year by his school Burnside High to coach chamber groups of the specialist music programme. Pictures supplied

Never mind the three-day R&V delirium with its glitter, earth-thumping pulse and clothing shortage.

Pianomania’s mid-December three concerts-in-one-day mini-fest will take its audiences on a black-and-white keyed magic carpet ride through Spain, 19th century Europe and the experiments of the early 20th century.

Brought to you by the Tiromoana Summer Concert Series Musica Viva, the end of year music festival, Pianomania, is to be performed by award-winning pianist Maria Mo and Wallace National Piano Competition first prize winners Lixin Zhang, and Tony Yan Tong Chen.

Held at the Lawson Field Theatre from 2pm, December 15, concert one presents The Sounds of Spain with works by Ravel, Albeniz, Manuel de Falla, Granados, and Marquez. At 4pm, 19th Century Romanticism brings works by Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin and the complete waltzes Brahms.

The music of Berg, Scriabin, Janacek Prokofiev, Psathas takes the audience into the modernism of the early 20th century.

Pianomaniacs who choose the three concert programme can buy tickets for $35, while tickets for individual concerts are $15 each.

Patrons are welcome to dine at the theatre between 5.30 and 7.30pm. Pizza orders can be made at 4pm. BYO refreshments. Tea and coffee will be available.

Tickets and pizza orders are payable by cash only.

Pianomania, Lawson Field Theatre, Sunday, December 15, 2pm. All three concerts $35, individual concerts $15 each. Cash door sales only.