“ Legendary Kiwi Violinist” To Play at the Martinborough Music Festival, 28-30 September

Wilma Smith is a well- known name in classical music circles. She was born in Suva and moved to New Zealand as a child. Wilma attended Auckland University where her virtuosity as a violinist was identified and she was offered playing experience with The Auckland Symphonia (now Philharmonia) and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Following graduation, Wilma continued her studies in Boston under the celebrated and “astonishingly successful” violin teacher, Dorothy DeLay. Her interest in chamber music saw her become one of the founding members of the highly successful Lydian Quartet. Formed in 1980, this  original quartet set the benchmark for those that followed by winning top international string quartet competitions including the Evian, Portsmouth and Banff with the prestigious Naumberg Award for Chamber Music being the pinnacle of their success. This quartet continues to this day “playing with a precision and involvement marking them among the world’s best quartets”.

It was her reputation as a chamber music player which led to Wilma returning to New Zealand in 1987 following an invitation to form the New Zealand String Quartet. Today, the New Zealand String Quartet is regarded as New Zealand’s leading string quartet. 

It is a remarkable track record, indeed, that two quartets which Wilma Smith was instrumental in forming have, over the years, maintained the standards of performance she set in the beginning. 

Loved by audiences, Wilma went on to become the concertmaster for both the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She retired from the latter in 2014.

These days, while she still accepts contracts as guest concertmaster for several orchestras, it is chamber music which occupies most of her attention. Under the moniker, Wilma and Friends, she puts together her own chamber ensembles three times a year which she tours around New Zealand and Australia, as well as being a guest player in other groups.

Featherston resident, Leslie Austin, is passionate about classical music. Leslie has followed Wilma Smith’s career ever since she came to prominence. Leslie describes her as “a very fine violinist”. He   is looking forward “immensely” to hearing Wilma play during the Martinborough Music festival. 

Playing a 1761 Guadagnini Violin, Wilma Smith will perform Violin Sonata in A Major by Cesar Franck on opening night. She will be accompanied by Diedre Irons. Full programme available www.martinboroughmusicfestival.co.nz                                                                                  

Winifred Bull