WATCH

Pianist Gemma Lee concludes our Autumn series with a programme for solo piano inspired by the desire to bring beautiful music not commonly heard onto the concert platform. Focussing on music by Bach, Debussy and Beethoven we get the chance to experience a different aspect of their work than their really famous ones that we may all know and love. Beginning with the Prelude from J.S Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C major ,(from the Well Tempered Clavier book II), Debussy’s delightful Clair de lune from Suite Bergamasque follows and the programme concludes with the first and third movements of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no.10 in G Major. When the last note resounds, you’ll be reminded of what Debussy wrote once — that the primary aim of music “is to give pleasure.” This event took place at the Auckland Central City Library on 23 June 2022.

Gemma Lee performing 'Notturno', Op. 54 No. 4 by Edvard Grieg. Recorded in the Lewis Eady piano showroom in Auckland, New Zealand, by Kimberley Annan.

Gemma Lee performing 'Angels We Have Heard On High', arranged by Frank Mantooth ('Jazz at Christmas'). Recorded in the Lewis Eady piano showroom in Auckland, New Zealand, by Kimberley Annan.

Westlake Girls' & Boys' High Schools - Choralation Conductor Rowan Johnston Accompanist: Gemma Lee The Big Sing 2014 National Finale

The Francis-Lee Duo bring us European Journeys, an exciting programme inspired by the special exhibition of the same name at the Auckland Art Gallery in 2019, celebrating works by New Zealand artist, Frances Hodgkins. The Duo start the journey at Manheim with the first movement of Mozart’s violin sonata k. 301, a perfect example of Mozart’s more mature style. This is followed by the second of Two Romances by the pioneer Swedish woman composer Elfrida Andree, lyrical pieces inspired by Nordic music literature. Keeping on the Nordic theme are the Folk Dances Op. 62 by Danish composer Niels Gade. The journey concludes at Transylvania with the iconic Romanian Folk Dances by Bartok, brilliantly transcribed for violin and piano by Zoltán Székely. This concert was held at Auckland Central City Library on 26 May 2022.

The Big Sing 2022 National Finale - Session Eight Recorded with thanks to JX Live and RNZ Concert

'Rangitoto' for solo piano by New Zealand composer, Helen Bowater. Performed by pianist Gemma Lee for the Karlheinz Company as part of the 2014 CANZ Conference, held at the University of Auckland's School of Music Theatre, 13 April 2014. Audio engineered and produced for broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert for SOUNZ. This film was made as part of the Resound project at SOUNZ, with funding from NZ On Air and in partnership with Radio New Zealand Concert. For programme note, composer biography, score sample, performance history and more, visit http://sounz.org.nz/works/show/20456 Audio engineered and produced for broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert. This film was made as part of the Resound project at SOUNZ, with funding from NZ On Air and in partnership with Radio New Zealand Concert. For programme note, composer biography, score sample, performance history and more, visit http://sounz.org.nz/works/show/20456