Sandwiched in between the March and April Star issues, are the Greytown Music Group’s first two concerts for 2022. Both the organisers and the musicians are hoping that the present Covid rules requiring masks and physical distancing won’t be changed for the worse as Omicron spreads.
This year’s Amici Ensemble, Donald Armstrong and Malavika Gopal on violin, Alexander McFarlane and Andrew Thomson on viola, Andrew Joyce and Bethany Angus on cello, and Jian Liu on piano will present an exciting programme. First, Haydn’s Piano Trio No 39 in G major (the Gypsy), then the Shostakovich Piano Quintet in G minor, and finally the Brahms String Sextet No 1 in B flat major – definitely “musical chairs” as more are added for each piece!
The Aroha String Quartet, with clarinettist Rachel Vernon, was to have performed last year, but the concert was postponed due to lockdown. The quartet, Haihong Liu and Anne Loeser on violin, violist Zhongxian Jin, and cellist Robert Ibell like having guest woodwind performers from time to time, to add an extra dimension to their music. Rachel, principal bass clarinet with the NZSO since 1995, has been enjoying the opportunity to tour with a small group.
They will be performing two of the best-loved works in the chamber music repertoire, the gorgeous clarinet quintets by Mozart and Brahms, together with Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion”. Haihong says “While Oblivion has been recorded with many different instrumental combinations, eg saxophone quartet, oboe and orchestra, we think that the clarinet and string quartet arrangement is the best! It is a piece which speaks of love, sophistication, and whispered sadness.”
The concerts will be held at 57 Wood St, Greytown. Admission $30, children $10. Bookings advisable – contact Ed and Juliet Cooke: 06 304 9497 or efjacooke@gmail.com.
Amici Ensemble: 4pm, Sunday 13 March
Aroha String Quartet with clarinettist Rachel Vernon: 4pm, Sunday 3 April
