Andrew Joyce and Jian Liu

Two of New Zealand’s most distinguished musicians join forces to serenade us with a cello and piano recital, in a much-requested return visit following the success of their 2024 concert. Both are very well-known to us from their frequent appearances with Amici Ensemble.

Their programme, spanning nearly 170 years, begins with a sonata by the Italian virtuoso cellist/composer Luigi Boccherini. It is followed by Manuel de Falla’s Suite of Spanish Dances. Written in 1914 this suite reflects Falla’s deep interest in the music of his native Andalusia, an influence that can be strongly felt in many of his works.

Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, written in 1912 for violin and piano, is a work that has been transcribed and arranged for a multitude of different instruments and it is always sure to be popular. It leads us into 20th Century Russia and the music of Sergei Prokofiev. The
Sonata in C Major has three movements: the first filled with voluptuous melody, followed by an energetic second movement and a sublimely expressive finale that harks back to his Russian heritage.