Michael Houstoun

Michael Houstoun joins us in 2026 for CREATION on 22 August, 7:30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Michael Houstoun was born in Timaru, New Zealand in October 1952. He began piano lessons at the age of five and under the guidance of Sr Mary Eulalie and subsequently Maurice Till, moving through the grades of the Trinity College of London examination system (ATCL 96%, LTCL 97%), winning all the major piano competitions in NZ and performing with orchestras.

In 1973 at the age of twenty he entered and placed third in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This led to a year of study with Rudolf Serkin at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He placed fourth in the Leeds International Piano Competition (1975) and sixth in the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition (1982).

After living overseas for six years – including a valuable period of study with Brigitte Wild in London – he returned home in 1981 where he has enjoyed his life as something of an ‘Artist in ResideNZ’, performing recitals, concertos and chamber music throughout Aotearoa. Most years he performs one or two new programmes and consequently has built a very large repertoire spanning from J S Bach to the present day. Included are many compositions by NZ composers and quite a few commissions.

Houstoun has twice presented the complete Beethoven sonatas in seven-concert cycles. More recently he has performed the 48 Preludes and Fugues of Bach’s ‘Well-tempered Klavier’ in two-concert events. Since 1999 he has recorded for Rattle Records with five of his albums winning Classical Record of the Year awards.

He has honorary degrees from Massey and Victoria universities, is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and a Laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. He is Patron of the NZ Institute of Registered Music Teachers, the NZ Music Examinations Board and the Nelson School of Music (NCMA).

On Saturday 22 August, Michael takes the stage with the newly-formed John Psathas Group to perform Bartók’s Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion, and Orchestra. Michael Houstoun’s artistic relationship with John Psathas spans decades, beginning when Houstoun was still a student and growing into one of Aotearoa’s most significant creative partnerships. Their work together has included two award-winning recordings and Three Psalms, Psathas’s piano concerto commissioned at Houstoun’s instigation and dedicated to him. Psathas described Houstoun’s playing as an inspiration throughout its composition. This extraordinary musical partnership continues with Houstoun joining forces with the John Psathas Group for its inaugural orchestral performance with Orchestra Wellington.