John Psathas - Career Highlights

Career Highlights

Highlights in 2002 included the premieres of several major works, including View From Olympus a double concerto for piano, percussion and orchestra performed by Evelyn Glennie, Philip Smith and the Halle Orchestra conducted by Mark Elder at the Royal Gala finale of the Commonwealth Games 'Pulse' music festival in Manchester, UK. This work was awarded New Zealand's major annual composition award for 2002, the SOUNZ Contemporary Award.

In 2003 a new CD of chamber works, Fragments, was released to critical acclaim and went on to win the Tui Award for Best Classical Recording at the New Zealand Music Awards. He was also named as the recipient of one of five Arts Foundation of New Zealand Artist Laureate Awards, which carry cash prizes of $40,000.

In 2004 Psathas achieved the largest audience for New Zealand-composed music when billions heard his fanfares and other music at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics. This high-profile work was recognised in New Zealand's New Year Honours by his appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Additionally, his Piano Concerto, premiered by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and soloist Stephen Gosling, was awarded the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for excellence in composition.