Amici Ensemble returns for Greytown Concert

The Greytown Music Group’s last concert for 2017, on Sunday 8 October at 4pm, sees the welcome return of the Amici Ensemble. The group was formed in 1988 by NZSO Assistant Concertmaster Donald Armstrong, and is committed to performing works of all periods for differing combinations of instruments from the very small to the very large.
As the name suggests, the members of the Ensemble are great friends, and also colleagues, from principal chairs of the NZSO. They are joined for this concert by well known international pianist Jian Liu.

The Ensemble will be performing the beautiful Trout Quintet by Franz Schubert. Donald Armstrong says: “The Trout Quintet is one of the most sublime pieces ever written. It uses the unusual combination of piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass. The centre of the work is a set of variations based on a Schubert song, The Trout, where young ladies are warned to be careful of young men fishing.” (Phishing too, nowadays!)
Rounding out an appealing programme is Shostakovich Piano Trio No 2, and Rossini Duo for Cello and Double Bass. Rossini, mostly known as a composer of opera, wrote the Duo for a rich banker in 1825, to be played at his London mansion. It is full of gorgeous tunes, using the lyricism of the cello and the liveliness of the double bass. As Donald Armstrong says: “Come and hear this programme, there is something for everyone!”This year’s Ensemble includes a truly international group of players. Donald Armstrong is a New Zealander, a member of the NZSO since 1987, but during 8 years overseas he played in orchestras in the States, Denmark and France. He plays a 1754 violin by Nicolo Gagliani.
Julia Joyce, also a Kiwi, studied in London, then played viola in quartets and orchestras in Europe, Turkey, Japan, and the Canary Islands. She plays a viola made by Emilio Rossi in the 1920s.
English born Andrew Joyce began his musical career in London, where he met Julia, who became his wife, when they were both playing for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. They both played in the Puertas Quartet, in the UK and NZ. He plays an English cello by Thomas Dodd, c.1880.
Joan Perarnau Garriga was born in Catalunya, began his double bass studies there, and then in London. His performing life has covered teaching and playing in Japan, Switzerland and Spain, before coming to New Zealand where he is now the Principal NZSO double bass, and teaches at the NZ School of Music at Victoria University in Wellington.
Chinese pianist Jian Liu is a sought after solo pianist, chamber musician, and educator across the globe. He has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His most recent positions before coming to New Zealand were with the Yale Philharmonic and the Yale University Department of Music. He is now the Programme Director of Classical Performance and Head of Piano Performance at the NZ School of Music.
The concert will be at 57 Wood Street, Greytown, admission $25 adults, $10 students. Bookings are essential. Phone Ed and Juliet Cooke after 28 September on 06 304 9497, or email them on efjac@xtra.co.nz.
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