Two Pianos and a Bass Baritone

Martinborough Music Festival Friday 23 – 25 September, Martinborough Town Hall

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Martinborough Music Festival (MMF). Judging by requests from people to be added to the mailing list and others asking for performance dates, it would be true to say that the MMF is now a firmly established event on the annual Martinborough social calendar. Festival founder, the late Ian Cresswell, would be well pleased with its success. This year’s MMF logo features a wonderful burst of colour to reflect the excitement of reaching this milestone.

To celebrate there will be five concerts: one on the opening night and the other two on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The programme will include a piano quintet commissioned especially for the Festival by Wellington composer Tabea Squire. Other programme highlights include works for two pianos performed by Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons and performances from NZ Bass baritone, Teddy Tahu Rhodes. The MMF are particularly pleased to be featuring two teenage prodigies – Wellington College’s Benjamin Carter (piano and cello) and gifted young Samoan violinist, Toloa Faraimo.

Altogether there are twelve artists (piano, cello, violin, viola, double bass and vocal) performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Bizet, Bottesini, Boulanger, Brahms, Bruch, Dvoṙãk, Finzi, HoIberg, I.Holst, Lutoslawski, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Schubert and Strauss. There should be something to suit all tastes! Artists names and the full programme will be on the MMF website from 1 April.

Visit the MMF website www.martinboroughmusicfestival.co.nz to add your name to the mailing list. This will ensure you receive the April 1^st newsletter announcing the artists and programmes. 

MMF are planning according to Covid rules. There is currently an audience ceiling of 100. Given the demand for tickets for past Festivals, tickets will sell out quickly. Being on the mailing list will entitle you to Early Bird seats before sales are opened for the public.

Winifred Bull