Distinguished concert pianists to perform, teach in Christchurch

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Two distinguished international concert pianists will perform and teach in Christchurch at the end of this month.

The visit of Santiago-based Edith Fischer, protege of Claudio Arrau – renowned as one of the supreme keyboard masters of the century – and her husband Jorge Pepi-Alos, is being hailed as a "very important event", especially for the musical and cultural life of the city.

Fischer has played under the direction of some of the greatest conductors of these times, notably with Erich Kleiber, Paul Ketzski, Sir John Barbirolli among other distinguished directors.

She has also performed at festivals such as Salzburg, Gstaad, Montreal, Stresa, Paris and Flanders.

Pepi-Alos, composer and professor at the University of Chile, studied piano with Fischer and attended the Menuhin Academy in Gdstaad (chamber music). He went on to co-found the Bionay chamber music festival with Fischer. Pepi-Alos went on to win a series of illustrious international prizes.

The couple were invited to Christchurch by dazzling young pianist and composer Tony Chen Lin, who has been regularly invited to perform as young guest artist at the 'Semaine Internationale de Piano et de musique de chambre' in Bionay, Switzerland by festival founder and mentor Edith Fischer.

"This will be a rare opportunity to witness two world-class musicians in performance and working with young New Zealand talent," Lin said.

The couple will give piano master classes in the chamber at The Piano: Centre for Music and Arts on Sunday February 26. 1pm- 6pm. Admission is free.

On Monday, February 27, Fischer and Pepi-Alos will perform in The Piano's concert hall at 7.30pm, the works of Schumann, Brahms, Ravel, VillaLobos, Jenny McLeod, and Pepi-Alos. Adults $30, students $10.