By HEATH LEES
Tamas Vesmas, Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Auckland, has been awarded the Claude Debussy medal for his services to the music of the French composer.
The award was made by the Mayor of St Germain-en-Laye, the town on the outskirts of Paris where Debussy was born.
Vesmas, who has been performing in Europe and the eastern United States, was booked for a recital a week ago in the Claude Debussy House in St Germain. His programme included Debussy's two books of preludes, a tour-de-force for any pianist.
The demand for tickets was such that the organisers persuaded Vesmas to give two concerts - an extra one in the afternoon, plus the scheduled evening one.
Following the evening concert, the mayor made the award, referring to Vesmas' regular inclusion of Debussy's music in his concerts and CDs.
Vesmas made a number of these recordings in New Zealand, including a 1999 CD by the Auckland-based Atoll company of Debussy's complete Preludes.
The disc has received glowing reviews overseas, and Vesmas' visit was apparently much awaited by concert-goers in Paris.
Pianist's CDs prelude to Debussy award
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