New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician since winning the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Gold Medal in his final year of study in London. Concerto performances include the BBC Scottish Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, Philharmonia (London) and all of the major orchestras in New Zealand. He has broadcast for BBC radio and television, and made more than 20 commercial recordings, including premiere recordings for Arvo Pärt, Henryk Gorecki and Ned Rorem. He has collaborated with many musicians, including the Berlin Philharmonic’s Wind Quintet, the Scottish Ensemble and Chamber Domaine.

Stephen has performed at many international festivals, including Bargemusic (New York), Edinburgh International Festival and City of London Festival, often giving the world premiere of new works. He has commissioned many composers in New Zealand and abroad and has amassed a large body of new work for piano solo and ensembles. In addition to his performing career Stephen is Head of Piano at the University of Auckland.