Pianist Maurice Till dies

Pianist Maurice Till (right) and Christchurch Arts Centre director Tony Paine in the Great Hall in 2003. Photo / Star Canterbury

Internationally acclaimed pianist and respected performance teacher Maurice Till has died in Christchurch aged 84.

Mr Till taught performance music courses at the universities of Canterbury and Otago from the early 1960s until his retirement in 1991, the Press reported.

Mr Till died on Saturday.

His reputation as a solo pianist was established in the 1960s when he toured New Zealand extensively. He later became a sought-after international accompanist for artists such as Kiri Te Kanawa.

Mr Till was also active in arts administration and was the first chairman of the Southern Regional Arts Council.

He had two children and six grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday.

- NZPA