Wellington Chamber Music Society

Sunday Concerts – 3 pm at the Ilott Concert Chamber, Wellington Town Hall

Home About-Us Register Links

Sunday Concerts 2003 – Artists and Programmes

Sometimes we need to change the musicians or programme (e.g. illness) and may not be able to give advance notice.

All concerts start at 3 pm

New Zealand String Quartet with Robert Orr (oboe) 11 May NZ String Quartet (above) Robert Orr (below)	When the New Zealand String Quartet is joined by another player a whole new range of entrancing music opens up. Here it is Robert Orr, NZSO principal oboe, in two of the loveliest pieces in the oboe quartet repertoire by Mozart and Britten. As well we will have Martinu’s Madrigals for violin and viola – the last decade has seen an awakening to the great body of his acerbic yet engaging music. This concert ends with one of Beethoven’s early string trios, imbued with charm, wit and intelligence. The quartet is Quartet in residence at Victoria University of Wellington.
Richard Mapp (piano) 1 June	An exploration of the idea of ecstasy in music, and of the key of F sharp Major seen through the eyes of three very different composers, this concert includes Scriabine’s marvellously idiosyncratic Fifth Sonata and some of the pieces from Messiaen’s spiritual masterpiece, Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus. Richard Mapp is Head of Piano Studies at the Conservatorium of Music, Massey University, Wellington and is acknowledged as among the top New Zealand pianists.
Amici Ensemble (violin, viola, cello with piano, soprano, clarinet, double bass) 22 June	A Sunday of Schubert A choice of Schubert for the Amici Ensemble’s concert includes three of his most loved works. The Trout Quintet and the breathtaking B Flat Trio might well make a highly satisfying programme by themselves and, in addition, they will perform the enchanting Shepherd on the Rock. The string players, Donald Armstrong (violin), Vyvyan Yendoll (viola), Allan Chisholm (cello) and Dale Gold (Double Bass) will be joined by pianist Emma Sayers, clarinettist Mary Scott and soprano Jenny Wollerman.
Saxcess (saxophone quartet) 13 July	In 2002 Saxcess celebrated their tenth year as a unique and hugely popular saxophone ensemble. They persuade jazz lovers of the beauties of classical music as they seduce classical devotees with their witty treatment of jazz and other music. Leader Deborah Rawson says, “We aim to play every style, to show that the saxophone is a hugely versatile instrument.” Their programme ranges from the baroque, through Mussorgsky’s Pictures, to jazz and two engaging New Zealand works.
Goldfingers (string quartet) 27 July	The programme and style of this Auckland-based quartet, led by adventurous violinist Lara Hall, could well derive something from the Kronos and the Brodsky quartets. They embrace the challenge of attracting younger audiences by unashamedly choosing music of vivid colour, melodic delight, strong rhythm and deep emotion. Their programme will range from classical favourites and two well-entrenched pieces by New Zealand composers to Arvo Pärt’s profoundly moving Fratres.
Scaramuccia (violin, flute, harpsichord) 10 August	Winter Nights Scaramuccia have taken as a starting point the programmes of the Musical Societies of Scotland (the 18^th century equivalent of the WCMS). Gregory Squire, founder of Scaramuccia, was prominent in Scottish baroque music performance before returning to New Zealand. The group performs the foot-tappingly infectious tunes and haunting melodies of old Scotland alongside the works of the great Italian violinists of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, just as would have been heard in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Flight (harp, flute) 24 August	Bridget Douglas (flute) and Carolyn Mills (harp) have performed to great critical acclaim in arts festivals and concert series throughout New Zealand. “…flute and harp seduced us with the most elegant phasing and articulation” wrote the Dominion Post critic of a recent concert by these two gifted and delightful players. Here they play some of the gems that make this combination so entrancing: from core repertoire like Handel through French pieces so perfectly adapted to the subtleties of these instruments, to a new work by Gareth Farr.
New Zealand Trio (violin, cello, piano) 19 October	Violinist Justine Cormack, pianist Sarah Watkins and cellist Ashley Brown join in launching the New Zealand Trio – three professionals as well known in their own right, now committed to this innovative and energised ensemble which brings varied and inspiring performances to audiences in New Zealand and abroad. At this concert as the New Zealand Trio they balance two great 19^th century trios with two New Zealand pieces.
Felix the Quartet (string quartet) 9 November	Wilma Smith, now Co-Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony, returns to Wellington for this concert with Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson and Rowan Prior, leading players from the NZSO. In their third exciting year as Felix the Quartet all of them continue to crave the chance to play this intimate music with sympathetic colleagues. Fascinating light will be cast on their performances of two of the greatest quartets by Haydn and Beethoven through their association here with the Quartet No. 3 by Schnittke.

Register to receive more information.