Pianist Rob Hao performs a programme of Romantic and contemporary piano music stretching the expressive potential of the piano. This set features Chopin’s final two Nocturnes, Vivier’s recreation of Shirazi singers, Debussy, Saariaho, Australia’s-very-own Dominic Flynn and a new commission by British composer Michael Finnissy - the tenth instalment in his ‘Political Agenda’ series.

Michael Finnissy - Tenth Political Agenda *(World premiere)

Dominic Flynn - The Delacourt Bucket

Kaija Saariaho - Ballade

Claude Debussy - 'Pagodes' and 'La soirée dans Grenade' from Estampes

Claude Vivier - Shiraz

Michael Finnissy - Midsummer morn, from English country-tunes

Frederic Chopin - Two Nocturnes op 62

Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start!

*commissioned with the generous support of the Vaughan-Williams Foundation.

Rob Hao is an Australian pianist and composer. His compositions and performances have taken him around Australia, the UK and across continental Europe, with his musicianship having been described as ‘absolute stillness’ to ‘stirring and impetuous’ (SoundsLikeSydney). Rob’s debut at the Sydney Opera House was detailed as 'full of personality, authenticity and virtuosity' (ClassikOn Australia) and he has since returned as both composer and performer to the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as further performances around festivals in the UK, such as Aldeburgh, Manchester Festival of Song and the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe. Rob’s work has also been broadcast on ABC Radio National as well as 2MBS Fine Music.

Rob studied at London's Royal College of Music, specialising in both composition and piano where he also won first prize for both disciplines in the Contemporary Music Competition alongside prizes for song accompaniment. His debut LP is set to be released in September 2025.