Chairman of IPPEC

2001、2007、2011 & 2015 IPPEC Examiner

Dr. Len Vorster

Len Vorster left South Africa for Australia in 1983 after completing post-graduate piano studies with Lamar Crowson at the University of Cape Town. He made his concerto debut with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in Mozart's Piano Concerto K 456 in 1976. As a concerto soloist he has recorded Michael Easton's Concerto on Australian Themes with the State Orchestra of Victoria for Naxos, and gave first performances of the work in Italy, Hungary, Germany, and with the Royal Academy Orchestra in London in 2001.

His Naxos recording of the two-piano version (with Robert Chamberlain) of Holst's The Planets has received a Gramophone Magazine award and with Merlyn Quaife he has been nominated for an Aria award for his Naxos recording of music by Manuel de Falla . Len Vorster has recorded with Ian Partridge the complete songs and solo piano music of Lord Berners for Marco Polo. In 2003 he released a solo CD Summer Waves, and ABC Classics released two CDs of Brahms Clarinet Chamber Music with Len Vorster, Deborah de Graaff and Georg Pedersen. In 2005 Naxos released his CD of solo piano and chamber music of Lennox Berkeley. Another Naxos CD of music of Samuel Barber was released in August 2006.

In 2001 he formed a duo with David Berlin, Principal Cellist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The Berlin Vorster Duo toured Taiwan in April 2003 and their CD Reflections was re-released for the Taiwan market. Presently they are recording a second CD to be released in 2008.

Len Vorster is the founding Artistic Director of Port Fairy Spring Music Festival. He is currently on the piano staff at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Message from Mr. Len Vorster

IPPEC

Over the last few years I have had plenty opportunity to observe and evaluate IPPEC and the workings of the organization. Not only have I conducted piano examinations, but I have also given recitals under the auspices of IPPEC.

The piano examinations, based on international levels, are extremely well designed, organized and executed. The facilities are excellent and the organization is clearly respected by both teachers and students. Charlene Chia has surrounded herself with a strong team to ensure the success of this organization, and has managed to develop the examinations to a high level over more than a decade. The increase of numbers of candidates annually testifies to this success. The evaluation criteria and repertoire are continually being refined. Furthermore the organization has given music teachers and students the opportunity to gain a wider range of study and experience by attending a two-weekly summer school in Melbourne, Australia each year.

I have given two recital tours in Taiwan for IPPEC and have recorded five CD¡¦s for the organization ¡V two educational CD¡¦s (IPPEC repertoire and Italian terms), and three CD¡¦s covering solo piano and chamber repertoire (for cello, clarinet and saxophone). These CD¡¦s were produced to a high professional level, and would further enhance the students¡¦ repertoire and appreciation of music.

Regarding the future of IPPEC, I would like to see the organization branching outside the borders of Taiwan, and possibly extend to the examination of students in Australia. Furthermore, to include the examination of sight-reading and accompanying - the latter in the higher grades. Also, to expose the students and teachers to as many master classes, workshops and recitals as possible.