Richard Mapp Piano Concert

Please note the new rescheduled date of 12th November 2023

Richard Mapp will perform on the new Steinway piano in the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre, Forum North.

This concert, presented by The Whangarei Music Teachers Association and Whangarei Music Society, celebrates the replacement of the community owned Steinway piano which was damaged while in storage.

Richard Mapp made his solo debut at the age of 12 with the Christchurch Civic Orchestra playing Mendelssohn’s Concerto No 1. He studied with Ernest Empson, a Godowsky pupil, and later at the University of Otago with Maurice Till. Richard then pursued postgraduate studies with Gordon Green at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he later held a teaching fellowship. He also received coaching from William Pleeth (cellist and teacher of Jacqueline du Pre) and the Beaux Arts Trio.

After a successful debut at the Wigmore Hall, Richard gave solo, duo and recital engagements in Europe, Scandinavia and North America. He recorded for the BBC and for radio in Canada, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Australia. Richard has recorded six CDs and his recordings are frequently heard on RNZ Concert.

After 16 years of performing and teaching overseas, Richard returned to New Zealand. He co-founded the Bay of Islands Arts Festival, has toured several times for Chamber Music NZ, and performed as soloist with the major orchestras here.

Richard was head of piano at the Massey Conservatorium for ten years, and has also taught at Canterbury University, Waikato University, the NZ School of Music and is currently teaching at Auckland University.