Piers Lane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Piers Lane
|
|
|---|---|
Lane, pictured as the artistic director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 8 January 1958 (age 67) London, UK |
| Genres | Classical music |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist; academic; festival director |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Alma mater | Queensland Conservatorium |
Piers Lane is a very talented Australian classical pianist. He was born on January 8, 1958. The letters "AO" after his name mean he has received a special honor called the Order of Australia. This award recognizes his amazing contributions to the performing arts.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning Music
Piers Lane was born in London, England. His English father and Australian mother both loved playing the piano. They even met while trying out to be piano students at the Royal College of Music.
Piers grew up in Brisbane, Australia. He studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. He was a brilliant student and even won a Medal of Excellence when he graduated. His teacher there was a famous musician named Nancy Weir.
Piers first became well-known in 1977. This was at the very first Sydney International Piano Competition. He was named the Best Australian Pianist at this important event. Later, he received a special "honorary doctorate" from the conservatorium. This is like a special degree given to someone who has achieved a lot.
A Life in Music
Piers Lane has had an amazing career playing the piano all over the world. He has performed in many famous concert halls. He has also worked with many different orchestras and musicians.
Big Performances
One of Piers's most memorable performances was at Carnegie Hall in New York. He played a very difficult piece called Busoni's Piano Concerto. The audience loved it so much that they gave him a standing ovation! This means everyone stood up and clapped for a long time.
He has also played with many famous orchestras. These include the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra. He has been a soloist five times at the BBC Proms. This is a huge music festival held every year in London's Royal Albert Hall.
Working with Others
Piers often performs with other musicians. He has toured Australia with singer Cheryl Barker and baritone Peter Coleman-Wright. He has also played with violist Brett Dean and singer Anne Sofie von Otter. He has a long-standing musical partnership with British violinist Tasmin Little.
Since 2007, Piers has been the artistic director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. This festival happens every year in Townsville, Australia. As artistic director, he helps choose the musicians and plan the concerts. He also helps organize the Myra Hess Day at the National Gallery in London.
Recordings and Radio
Piers Lane has made many recordings of his music. These recordings are available on labels like Hyperion Records and EMI. He has recorded concertos, which are pieces for piano and orchestra. He has also recorded chamber music, which is music for a small group of instruments.
He is also well-known for his work on BBC Radio 3. He has written and presented over 100 programs about music. One of his most popular series was called The Piano.
Awards and Honors
Piers Lane has received many awards for his musical talent. In 1994, he became an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music. He has also been a professor of piano there since 1989.
In 2012, Piers was given a very high honor in Australia. He was named an Officer of the Order of Australia. This was for his "distinguished service to the performing arts." It recognized his work as a pianist, his help with cultural organizations, and his support for young musicians.
In 2015, Piers became the artistic director of the Sydney International Piano Competition. He also won the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award in 2022.
