Amiki Trio concert – Tales of Love & Enchantment

Recently formed after a corridor conversation at Marsden School where they’re all itinerant music teachers,, the Amiki Trio’s vocalist Barbara Paterson, flautist Karen Batten, and pianist Rachel Thomson,  decided to make music together.

“Amiki” as a verb in Maori means to tell a story in detail, and the Trio has developed this concert

programme on the theme of “Tales of Love and Enchantment.” The scope for this combination is wide, and Amiki Trio has explored repertoire ranging from expressive French lyricism to contemporary composition. 

Voice, flute and piano blend and contrast as the musicians take you through a varied programme, from subtle French colours to a narrated tale of an emperor and a bird. Hear the nightingale sing, the shepherd sigh, the water swirl around a water nymph, in compositions by Delibes, Ravel, Schubert and Reinecke.

Chamber music is an important element in the freelance careers of all three musicians. All agree that the intimate performance of these trios and duos allows all to relish the essence of chamber music: emotional communication through music and thus connection with the audience.

Other musical activities that contribute to the busy lives of the three freelancers are teaching, orchestral performance, and choir direction. 

Rachel is an examiner for Trinity College of London, which sees her travelling the motu throughout the year. 

Barbara is currently an Artist Teacher of Classical Voice at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music, teaches privately and also conducts the Capital Choir. 

Orchestra Wellington provides Karen with plenty of challenging orchestral repertoire, and she has just rejoined the RNZAF Band, after a hiatus of 18 years to raise her two boys.

AMIKI TRIO – Tales of Love & Enchantment: 4 p.m. Sunday 7 April at 57 Wood St, Greytown.

Admission $30, children $10. For bookings email efjacooke@gmail.com, or ring 06 304 9497.