Sunday 20 August
Ākarana Piano Quartet
“A wonderfully gifted incredible cellist” – (world famous cellist Mischa Maisky in praise of Chen Cao)
Change of Venue
Raumati Uniting Parish Church, 10 Weka Rd, Raumati Beach
Andrew Beer (violin), Chen Cao (cello),
Sarah Watkins (piano), Robert Ashworth (viola)
Programme
Mozart
Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor, K478
Bridge
Phantasie Quartet in F# minor, H94
Janet Jennings
New commission after Paul Klee’s New Harmony
Dvořák
Piano Quartet No 2 in Eb Major, Op 87
Their programme brings us two of the greatest and most popular works in the piano quartet repertoire – Mozart’s K478 and Dvořák’s Opus 87.
Another piano quartet that is less familiar is the Phantasie Quartet by English composer Frank Bridge. Bridge is best known through his most famous pupil, Benjamin Britten, who recognized his teacher’s genius and frequently programmed his works.
The Phantasie Quartet, completed in June 1910, reveals Bridge’s early style when he had not yet ventured away from late nineteenth-century harmonic language. It is charming music, filled with many memorable melodies.
Also on the programme will be a new commission by New Zealand composer Janet Jennings. A graduate of the Universities of Waikato and Auckland, her works are regularly performed in NZ and overseas. She is particularly known for her vocal works and insists that new music should be accessible and enjoyable for both performers and listeners.
This concert is presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand. Chamber Music New Zealand’s Partnership Series is supported by the Stout Trust.