Gala performance brings back stars of stage to celebrate anniversary

Retirement has just “slipped out of the picture” for leading concert pianist Michael Houstoun.

When he last performed for the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra in 2019 it was thought to be his last hoorah in the city, but Houstoun is back touring and about to perform in the “DSO’s 60th Gala”.

The change of mind came on the back of the pandemic and the ability to get respite care for his partner.

The DSO could not be happier. Houstoun will perform Shostakovich’s second piano concerto for the gala.

“It is a brilliant concerto, wonderful to play, and its slow movement is a miracle.”

Houstoun is more than happy to celebrate the occasion.

“When a city sustains an orchestra for 60 years that is certainly worth celebrating. I have many happy memories of playing with and also conducting the DSO.”

He has been preparing for the concert, as he does with all performances, big or small, by “practising with as much concentration and insight as I can muster”.

“I enjoy this process enormously.”

Houstoun, who sees every concert as an opportunity to realise his potential, continues to work on his technique every day.

“I like to think my playing has expanded both horizontally and vertically with the passing years.”

The focal dystonia he suffered from years ago is “totally a thing of the past”.

“I know so much as a result of it that I can’t imagine getting myself back into that kind of trouble again.”

His performance comes on the back of a recent “Masterpiece” tour of the North Island and upper South Island. He performed works by by Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and Bach-Busoni.

Houstoun, who is an arts laureate and CNZM, organised the tour himself and partnered with local music societies where possible.

“I selected great established masterpieces, music I loved and was happy to play eleven times in a row.”

The response from audiences was enthusiastic, he says.

“I couldn’t have been happier. I thoroughly enjoyed the touring, driving everywhere which is a great pleasure of mine.”

The concert will also celebrate Mozart with the help of Jonathan Lemalu, the internationally acclaimed bass, who grew up in Dunedin and is back home to perform a series of concerts.

For Lemalu, the DSO has been part of his world for “more than half my life” since the early 1990s, first as a chorister then as a soloist.

“I always feel like coming home to make music with friends.”

Fond memories of past concerts include performing Mozart, Mahler, Beethoven, Handel and Anthony Ritchie’s work as well as working with conductors such as James Judd (who conducts the gala concert), fellow Dunedin boy Tecwyn Evans and Brian Law.

“My farewell concert, before leaving to study in London in 1999, was a sold out town hall with the DSO. [It] was amazing. Apparently the only other time the gods were opened in the hall was with Kiri [Te Kanawa] singing.”

He is looking forward to the performance as Mozart has resonated with him since his first singing lessons with Honor McKellar.

Lemalu went on to make many important debuts with Mozart — Glyndebourne, ENO, Metropolitan Opera, Opera Australia, Bayerische Staatsoper, Oper Frankfurt, Salzburg Festival, Hamburg Staatsoper, Chicago Lyric.

“His operatic characters are for me like good friends — I may not have seen them for a while, but when we reunite, it’s like no time has elapsed.”

The experiences he has had with the DSO helped him immeasurably when he moved overseas.

“It was hugely formative in my learning and a major part of the success I found which launched my career.”

Having so many experiences to work with the DSO helped him gain so much confidence and understanding.

The “DSO 60th Gala” will open with Fanfare by Jack Speirs, one of the first musical directors of the DSO.

It also includes The Moldau by Smetana and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

To see: DSO 60th Gala, Saturday, 7:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall