Young Piano Prodigy Raises Funds For Arthritis

For Immediate Release
Young Piano Prodigies Raises Funds For Arthritis

Two young music prodigies from Diocesan School for Girls and St Cuthbert's College have the privilege of playing in the same concert as two of New Zealand’s top pianists next month – and their fleet fingered performances will help young people suffering from arthritis.

Diocesan's Twelve-year-old Sarah Qian and St Cuthbert's College student 13-year-old Sylvia Jiang will perform in the “Eight Hands, One Piano” concert in Auckland with piano legends Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons to raise funds for Arthritis New Zealand.

The exclusive celebrity concert on October 21 is limited to only 100 tickets and will be held at Rannoch, the arts and crafts mansion on the slopes of Mount Eden owned by arts patron James Wallace who founded the James Wallace Arts Trust.

Ticket prices range from $65 up to $120 for front row seats and the chance to view more than 1600 works of art and sculpture at Rannoch before the concert starts at 7.30pm.

The four pianists will play a hand-made Shigeru Kawai grand piano that James Wallace is generously making available for the concert along with his home.

Sarah, who recently passed her Grade Eight piano exam with Distinction, says she was surprised to be chosen to perform in the concert even though she has attended Master Classes with Michael Houstoun and other internationally renowned pianists.

“I did not think that I would be considered good enough,” says Sarah, who practises piano for up to three hours a day and also plays the harp and sings in one of Diocesan’s choirs.

The idea to team Sarah and Sylvia up with Diedre Irons and Michael Houston came from her teacher Qu Yong, who says he thought it was an opportunity to showcase the youngsters’ remarkable musical promise.

“Michael thought it was a beautiful suggestion It is very good of him to be so supportive of these talented young music students.”

Arthritis New Zealand, who made the formal approach to Diedre and Michael, is delighted at how generous they are being in supporting the cause.

The event is also being supported by Lewis Eady Ltd, The Heritage Hotel, Dawsons Catering and Et Cetera Photography and Design.

In the first half of the concert, Sarah will play three movements of Sonatine by Maurice Ravel followed by Abegg Variation Op. 1 by Robert Schumann.

Sylvia will play A Time and A Place There Was by Kenneth Young in memory of Douglas Lilburn, Mouvement from Images Book 1 by Claude-Achille Debussy, Two Songs Without Words (Op. 38 no.5 “Passion” and Op.38 no.6 “Duet”) and Rondo Capriccioso in E major, Op 14 by Felix Medelssohn.

In the second half, Diedre Irons and Michael Houstoun will play two duets: Andante and Variations, Op. 83a by Medelssohn and Jeux d’Enfants by Georges Bizet.

Money raised from the concert will help fund services for young people affected by arthritis.

“Arthritis is a serious health issue, and is not a disease of the elderly alone,” says Sandra Kirby, CEO of Arthritis New Zealand.

In New Zealand, the condition affects one in every 1000 children under the age of 15 and many children and young adults who suffer from it experience difficulties with their schooling, their ability to play sport and to socialise, she says.

“We are seeking to build awareness around this issue, and in doing so have a positive effect on the lives of those afflicted with arthritis, particularly children.”

ENDS

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