NZTrio returns to Greytown

Omicron permitting, the NZTrio,  founder member cellist Ashley Brown, with newer members violinist Amalia Hall and pianist Somi Kim, will perform in Greytown on 1 May. They are celebrating 20 years of NZTrio with their Legacy series: masterpieces, “genre-busting” works, and freshly commissioned piano trios.

The Legacy 1 programme opens with the first two of Schumann’s Six Pieces in Canon, where he pays homage to the lasting resonance of Bach’s prodigous talents in polyphonic writing (two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody). Originally written for a pedal piano, made from two pianos, one on top of the other and played with foot pedals and hands, the violin, cello and piano version was very successfully arranged by Schumann’s friend and student Thomas Kirchner.

NZ composer Michael Norris, who wrote NZTrio’s first ever commission in 2003, has composed “Horizon Fields” to mark the Trio’s 20th anniversary. This work was inspired by the 2012 Horizon Field art installation in Hamburg by Antony Gormley – a large black mirrored platform suspended above the ground, providing reflections and gentle oscillations.

Ukrainian born Nikolai Kapustin was considered a pioneer of the Soviet jazz scene. His music combines typical idioms of jazz with classical forms, and the Op.86 Trio, originally written in 1998 for flute, cello and piano, is one of Kapustin’s most popular chamber music works. A Just Flutes Publishing Company spokesman says “This would shake up an audience for sure!” Jazz was completely prohibited in Russia in the 1950s, but later became a symbol of freedom, so is perhaps a suitable piece to play in the current world situation.

Beethoven’s B flat major Piano Trio, “the Archduke”, a majestic work and possibly his most beautiful piano trio, will finish the concert. It was dedicated to Archduke Rudolph of Austria, an amateur pianist and composer, and also patron, student and friend of Beethoven.

NZTrio: 4pm Sunday 1 May, at 57 Wood St, Greytown. Adults $30, children $10. Bookings essential – contact Ed and Juliet Cooke on 06 304 9497 or efjacooke@gmail.com.