Popular Amici Ensemble returns

The Amici Ensemble is the Greytown Music Group’s most popular performer. This year’s ensemble is a string quintet: Donald Armstrong and Malavika Gopal on violin, Andrew Thomson and Alexander McFarlane on viola, with Andrew Joyce on cello.

The Ensemble was formed in 1988 by Donald Armstrong, who is committed to performing works of all periods for differing combinations of instruments from the very small to the very large. Donald obviously gives a lot of thought to the Ensemble’s concerts, finding so many different combinations, and giving audiences a different experience each year. 

For 2024 he has chosen the string quintet – a string quartet enlarged by an extra viola, giving a special richness and warmth to the sound.

“The Mozart and Brahms quintets are the giants of the chamber music repertoire, both written in the later part of the composers’ lives. Both pieces have a mature radience that exudes a joy of life,” he said. 

“I have been fascinated with these quintets for many years, and decided that for the Amici concert this year it would be great to wallow in the gorgeous string sounds of Mozart’s and Brahms’ quintets.”

The concert will open with two very short pieces by two Kiwi composers, one older, and one younger. Ron Tremain’s String Trio dates back to the 1940s – we will hear its 3rd movement, possibly inspired by Bartok. 

This will be followed by a fun dancey piece from Tabea Squire, written when she was 16: “Reto Doble” (double challenge) was inspired by the Spanish Dance, the Pasa Doble.

It was performed by Tabea several times, with her father, Gregory Squire of the NZSO.

Amici Ensemble: 4:00 p.m. Sunday 28 April at 57 Wood Street, Greytown.

Admission $3, children $10. 

Bookings: Ed and Juliet Cooke, efjacooke@gmail.com  or phone 06 304 9497.

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