Greytown Music Group Concerts 

On Sunday 11 April at 4pm  the Ristov-Villani Duo of Marko Pop Ristov and Flavio Villani will perform in Greytown, at a programme entitled Music Tour through Europe. As we can’t travel to destinations abroad at present, they will bring Europe to New Zealand halls, treating audiences to masterpieces by Greig, Dvorak, Bartok and Prokofiev.

Both Flavio and Marko have extensive experience, having  performed widely in Europe. They are  passionate about sharing music with others, by performing, and also by teaching, and creating an environment where students can learn music as a tool to explore their own personality.

Having moved to New Zealand from North Macedonia and Italy respectively, both Marko and Flavio are greatly enjoying NZ’s outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking. They are also passionate about cooking. Flavio says his Italian side loves preparing  and sharing meals with friends. Marko says his passion for food and cooking  gained him the nickname “The Cook”, when studying at the Royal College of Music in London.

On Sunday 2 May at 4pm the Trio Elan, Sarah Watkins, Simon Brew and Doanld Armstrong will give an exciting concert, on piano, saxophone and violin.

In a rare and exclusive programme which showcases the dynamic and seductive sounds of three wildly different instruments, audiences will be mesmerised and enchanted by the colourful sonorities of music from France, New Zealand, Argentina and NZ. 

Since Adolf Sax invented the saxophone in the 1840s, composers have been inspired by its sound range, combining the sax with other instruments in many idioms. Composers such as Debussy incorporated its beautiful sweetness in impressionist music, influencing later composers such as Marc Eychenne. The sax become the heart of newer styles such as jazz, and dance and pop music. The violin and piano, from their classical beginnings, have followed the sax into the new styles with ease.

  The programme will include works by Russ Peterson, Albeniz, Barry Cockroft, Debussy, Marc Eychenne, Piazzolla, and Gareth Farr.

Both concerts will be held at 57 Wood St, Greytown. Admission $25, students $10. Ring Ed and Juliet Cooke on 06 304 9497 to book.