Amici Ensemble 2019

The Amici Ensemble  returns to Greytown on Sunday 2 June in their largest form ever – 9 players will come together to perform the Grand Nonet, by Louis Spohr.

A virtuoso violinist, Spohr was as famous as Beethoven in his time, and the Nonet has all the Viennese wit and charm of the era. Spohr was commissioned to write it by Herr Johann von Tost, a businessman, who stipulated that the individual parts should belong to him, so he could lend them out, and ensure he was invited to every performance of the Nonet. He also hoped that he might pick up more customers from among the music lovers who would  attend the concerts!

The Nonet was written in such a way that each instrument appears in its true character, with characteristic solos for all instruments.

In keeping with that idea, the first half of the concert features all 9 performers in various ways. NZSO Principal Oboe Robert Orr performs Mozart’s Oboe Quartet,  which Robert says “Is the ultimate challenge for an oboist, both musically and technically. It includes the highest note ever written for the oboe up to that time!”    … Continue Reading

Greytown Music Group – A Piano in the Wind

Sunday 12 May, 4 pm

Wellington-based group “A Piano in the Wind” will be performing in Greytown for the Greytown Music Group’s next concert on Sunday 12 May. The players all perform regularly together in Orchestra Wellington and at other musical events in the region. They say they are very much enjoying the opportunity of working together on gorgeous repertoire for their instruments. 

A Piano in the Wind will be performing the two most prominent quintets for piano and winds: the Mozart and Beethoven Quintets in E flat major.  After its premiere in 1784, Mozart described the quintet to his father as the best thing he had written in his life. It is believed that Beethoven’s quintet may have been inspired by Mozart’s, being written in the same key and for the same instrumentation.  The quintets are often paired together in a programme. Both works include beautiful piano writing balanced against opportunities for the wind instruments to shine with wonderful melodies.  … Continue Reading