18 May 2004

The HRL Morrison Music Trust announced today its plan to record the complete piano music of Douglas Lilburn performed by the New Zealand pianist Dan Poynton.

The collection, a landmark in New Zealand recording history, will be issued on the Trust Records label in four volumes. The first two volumes will be released in conjunction with a concert of Lilburn’s piano music at the Ilott Theatre on Thursday 10 June at 7:00pm, with the remaining two volumes following over the next year.

For the past two years Poynton – a pianist renowned for his sensitive interpretations of music by New Zealand composers – has been studying Lilburn’s manuscripts alongside Dr Robert Hoskins (Associate Professor of Music, Massey University), and the Trust.

The concert on June 10, the first in the LIVEWIRE series, offers a unique opportunity to hear a Lilburn premiere alongside the first performances for many years of a number of his other works. As well as established works such as the Nine Short Pieces and the Piano Sonata (1949), the programme includes what is believed to be the world premiere of the Piano Sonata (1939).

Dan Poynton says, “Douglas Lilburn was a hero: a brave man who wrote brave music which speaks of an idealistic, romantic and intimate place – somewhere outside our society yet at the same time so bound up with the primordial nature of this land.”

Leading New Zealand composer John Psathas said, “the choice of Dan Poynton for this project is inspired. Poynton’s commitment to Lilburn and his music, combined with his poetic approach to the piano are guaranteed to produce results which will endure well into the future. I have no doubt that these recordings will be a landmark in New Zealand’s musical evolution.”

Executive Producer Ross Hendy explained that this recording series would not have occurred without the generous financial support of Creative New Zealand and Massey University. He also wished to credit the Victoria University of Wellington Music Department who have provided Poynton with rehearsal space over the past year and Dr Robert Hoskins (Massey University) for his help in sorting through the numerous manuscripts held by the Alexander Turnbull Library.