A Creative Communities Taupō grant has allowed midday concert organiser Tracey Lidington to offer a novel approach to the entry price for the New Zealand String Quartet in August.
Handily the NZSQ are playing in Rotorua the night before – which already meant they would be close at hand – but the grant has allowed Lidington to reduce the attendance fee to a donation.
“We're asking for a koha at the door to encourage anyone who might just want to listen to some classical music – any level of knowledge is okay, and to encourage children,” says Lidington.
Such a quality performance so cheaply could, for some, be a once in a lifetime opportunity, says Lidington.
The playing will be of very high standard, she says, and the concert’s theme will also be of interest to younger listeners.
The programme, crafted in the NZSQ’s signature style, aims to engage audiences regardless of their knowledge of classical music. Each piece of music is preceded by a lively and informative introduction delivered by the quartet members themselves.
The quartet’s publicity material says the introductions seek to shed light on the stories behind the music, making it an enriching experience suitable for children and adults alike and in fact the concert forms part of the quartet's nationwide Storytellers tour.
As well as this ‘story’ telling, Lidington says, the audience should listen out for pieces where one quartet member will play a motif, and another pick up this phrase, or story, and repeat it.
“An interaction between the musicians as well… adapted by another instrument and then they're all brought together at the end.”
The programme includes well-known composers such as Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten and Antonín Dvořák as well as eminent New Zealander composer Anthony Ritchie and Fanny Mendelssohn – Felix Mendelssohn’s eldest sister; a composer in her own right but only recognised more recently.
The concert will be performed by NZSQ musicians, violinist Peter Clark, their new cellist Martin Smith and violist Gillian Ansell who has been with the ensemble since its beginning in 1987. Joining them is a special guest: Peter-Andreas Nielsen, an impressive violinist who is travelling from his home of Denmark to join the NZSQ for the month of August.
Lidington also thinks it will be an educative experience for any young string players in Taupō.
“I think it will be fun… it is going to be an upbeat sort of a concert with lots of interaction between the musicians as well as with the audience.”
The New Zealand String Quartet perform at St Andrew's Church, 91 Tītīraupenga Street on Friday, August 7, 12-1pm.
Audience members can choose a price when they book in advance through Eventfinda, or make a koha at the door.
PROGRAMME:
Henry Purcell Fantasias
Anthony Ritchie Perpetual Motion from String Quartet no. (In Time)
Fanny Mendelssohn Movements from String Quartet in E flat major
Benjamin Britten Movements from String Quartet No. 2, in C major (Op. 36)
Interval
Antonín Dvořák Movements from String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 (The American Quartet)
Excerpts from the Danish String Quartet's album, Last Leaf.
Supported by Creative Communities Taupō.
