Gifted pianist wins Graduation Gala Concerto Competition

Gifted pianist wins Graduation Gala Concerto Competition

Gifted pianist Bradley Wood was awarded the top prize at last night’s University of Auckland Graduation Gala Concerto Competition. Bradley, a Bachelor of Music (Honours) student at the School of Music, performed a moving rendition of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in F Sharp Minor to a full house at the Auckland Town Hall.

Accompanied by the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Bradley played under the guidance of acclaimed conductor Leo Phillips, to a rapt audience.

Pianist Ji Huyn (Jane) Sohn took second prize with her performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor; and violinist Lauren Bennett placed third with her rendition of Jean Sibelius’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (1st Movement).

The annual competition marks the close of Autumn Graduation Week 2015. This year’s judges were Associate Professor Allan Badley and Peter Watts from the School of Music, who were joined by the Artistic Planning Manager of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Ronan Tighe, to adjudicate.

Bradley, a central city resident, was born in Christchurch. He is in his fourth-year of study majoring in Classical Performance (Piano) taught by Associate Professor Rae de Lisle.

“I’ve always been in the audience for the last few Graduation Gala Concerto Competitions, watching the amazing performers. It was fantastic to actually be up there on the stage performing with an orchestra, representing piano, my teacher and myself,” says Bradley.

The twenty one year-old studied under renowned musician Maurice Till from 2009 - 2011 gaining both ATCL and LTCL Diplomas with Distinction. He has performed with orchestras including the Christchurch Symphony, Nelson Symphony and the Auckland Philharmonia.

In 2013 he was awarded the University of Auckland Janetta McStay Prize for Pianists. Bradley was the Auckland Philharmonia's Piano Scholar for 2014. He has been a semi-finalist in both the Wallace National Piano Competition and Kerikeri International Piano Competition. Earlier this year he was awarded 1st Prize in the Christchurch National Concerto Competition, also winning the Audience Award.

“The public response to the Graduation Gala Concerto Competition has always been outstanding and this year’s dazzling event - which even included the world premiere of a new choral work by Leonie Holmes – was no exception," says Associate Professor Allan Badley, Head of the School of Music. “The concert is a wonderful way to bring the University and the community together in a spirit of celebration because, in so many ways, the efforts of our wonderful soloists reflect the quality of student achievement which is celebrated across the University during Graduation Week.”

Bradley, who receives $5,000 for his first place win, hopes eventually to head overseas to gain as much experience as he can in order to become a well-rounded musician.

The University of Auckland’s National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries comprises the Elam School of Fine Arts, School of Architecture and Planning, the Centre for Art Studies, the School of Music and the Dance Studies Programme.

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