This 2 disc, solo piano album by New Zealand’s favourite classical musician both stretches and soothes. Inland realizes Michael Houstoun’s long-held goal to record the music of composers he has maintained a close relationship with. Looming large is the presence of NZ jazz expat Mike Nock’s writing, in a series of largely contemplative ambient pieces.
A household name in New Zealand for over 35 years, Michael Houstoun is especially visible currently as a new Arts Foundation Laureate. Featuring evocative, imaginative and accessible repertoire that spans a range of styles, Inland reaches out far beyond Michael Houstoun’s historic concert hall audience.
While much of his reputation has been built on traditional piano repertoire, more recently Michael Houstoun has increasingly been heard performing new, New Zealand music - here, notably by John Psathas, Gao Ping, Ken Young, Victoria Kelly - and Mike Nock. This direction forms the basis of his upcoming release on Rattle. His commitment to the best New Zealand art music repertoire, sees our paths increasingly intertwined.
Michael’s first outing with Rattle was on John Psathas’ debut Rhythm Spike, and recently featured extensively on John’s massively popular View From Olympus album. Now Michael has now initiated a project to record a suite of contemporary New Zealand solo piano music under his own name.
