An all-French programme, featuring a range of masterpieces from the Romantic and Post-Romantic periods.

Poulenc’s delightful Novelettes are followed by four original transcriptions of Duparc’s haunting songs. Two cornerstones of the Romantic piano literature follow: Franck’s passionate and profound Prelude, Chorale and Fugue and Fauré’s melancholic Theme and Variations. The programme concludes with Saint-Saëns’ 6 Etudes, full of Gallic charm and flair.

New Zealand pianist John Chen launched his career by winning the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, where he also won prizes for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chamber music and Concerto. Since then, he has performed across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and extensively in Australia and New Zealand.