Michael Houstoun

Michael Houstoun is one of New Zealand's best-known classical pianists. Born in Timaru, he began piano lessons at the age of five.

Houstoun went on to study with noted pianist Maurice Till in Christchurch and Dunedin. By the age of 18 Houstoun had won every major New Zealand piano competition, and been highly placed in three key competitions overseas. 

He left New Zealand in 1974 to study in both London and the United States. During this period he continued his studies, recorded for EMI, and played at Carnegie Hall. 

In 1981, Houstoun returned home, and continued his performance career.  Since then, he has played with every professional music ensemble in New Zealand, and continued to perform overseas. His wide repertoire has included world premieres of many New Zealand composers, including works written for him by sometime screen composers Jack Body, John Psathas and Gareth Farr.

In 1996 Houstoun featured in the documentary Icon in B Minor. Directed by producer and pianist Tainui Stephens, the film follows Houstoun on a pilgrimage to Germany. There he visits old haunts of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, while preparing to perform Liszt's 'Sonata in B Minor'. 

Houstoun talks about his spiritual philosophies on music in relationship to Liszt's beliefs. The documentary's final section features Houstoun performing the complete 28-minute Sonata, considered a pinnacle for classical pianists. 

Houstoun also appeared in documentary Piano Man, which follows the preparation and performance of John Psathas' double concerto 'View from Olympus' in 2006.

Houstoun continues to travel around New Zealand, playing with orchestras, chamber ensembles and solo. The two latter genres enable him to perform in smaller population centres.

Other highlights of his career include recording all 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven for Trust Records, and performing Rachmaninov's complete works for piano and orchestra with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. 

In 1982 Houstoun was awarded the Turnovsky Prize, and in 1999 was made an Honorary Doctor of Literature by Massey University in 1999. In 2008 his solo CD of New Zealand Music Inland was named the Best Classical Album.