WENDY HISCOCKS PIANIST

As a pianist, Wendy studied in Sydney with Igor Hmelnitsky and in London with Brigitte Wild.  She made a début at London’s Purcell Room in 1994 as part of the South Bank’s Centre Chabrier Centenary Festival, performing with her duo partner Roy Howat.  The Howat-Hiscocks Duo was subsequently invited to record Chabrier’s piano music for the French label STIL.  As duo pianists Wendy and Roy have toured the world performing at venues including various British Festivals, Dartington Summer School (as visiting professors), Australia’s Port Fairy Festival, France’s Journées Gabriel Fauré, recordings on Radio Suisse Romande and Australia ABC, and live broadcasts on Radio France Musique and the ABC’s Sunday Live series.  In 2002 they opened the Kusatsu International Festival in Japan with two performances of Poulenc’s Double Concerto with the Gunma Symphony Orchestra.

Wendy also enjoys accompanying singers and participating in chamber music.  Her performance of Schumann’s Dichterliebe and premiere of I Look Out and See with bass Keith Hempton, was recorded live by the ABC.  Recent recitals in 2007 included an appearance at the Hampstead and Highgate Festival with the Australian soprano Allegra Giagu performing songs by Britten and Barber,  a tour in the UK and Berlin with violinist Carolyn Lam (programme included the premiere of Nocturne), and a two-piano recital with Roy Howat of music by Chabrier, Poulenc and Debussy at a French Music Conference in Hawaii.  In 2008 she will collaborate with the Australian baritone Derek Welton (recent winner of the London Handel singing competition) in a programme of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ songs for the Abingdon Arts Festival.